Transgender Council Member Vying For State Senate Seat

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Middleton officially announced Monday that she will enter the race for state Senate, which could pit her against State Senator Melissa Melendez of Lake Elsinore who represents Southwest Riverside County and eastward to Blythe.

Middleton announced her bid for the 28th District Senate seat with the backing of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and former United States Senator Barbara Boxer.

Middleton became the first openly transgender person in Californian history to win an elected non-judicial position when she was voted onto Palm Springs' City Council in 2017, and if she wins her Senate bid, will make history once again by becoming the first openly transgender state legislator in California's history.

"I will work to return our state and country back to a place where a crisis — whether it be a pandemic, wildfire or earthquake — is not an opportunity for partisanship but for us to work together to save lives. In our state, it is always going to be not if, but when and how bad is the next emergency," Middleton said.

She also cited climate change, inequity, crime, economic security, healthcare access and the issue of infrastructure and homelessness as focuses for her election platform.

In announcing their endorsement of Middleton, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus stated:

"We know that Lisa will be a pioneering, relentless advocate for the 28th District and all Californians, working tirelessly to make the state more inclusive, fair and just. We're with her 100% and look forward to helping Lisa get elected."

Former Senator Barbara Boxer also placed her support behind Middleton and said, California needs Lisa's forward-thinking ideas, compassion, grit and determination ... I'm proud to offer her my enthusiastic endorsement.

The 28th District Senate seat is held by Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore). Her current term expires in December 2022. The district includes the cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, and Wildomar, as well as Blythe, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage.

Over the summer, Melendez filled paperwork establishing a campaign committee to run for California lieutenant governor in 2022.