These LGBTs Want to Run Your Town

Jeffrey Slavin, Somerset, Md.; population 1,263

Slavin is already a well-known figure in the wealthy Washington, D.C., suburb of Somerset, where he's working hard to be reelected to another term as mayor. Slavin sparked the ire of NIMBYs ("not in my backyard") recently as a supporter of denser housing developments in the area, which is less than seven miles from downtown Washington. Slavin, a real estate broker and longtime philanthropist, has been Somerset's top official since 2008, and served on the town council before that.

Christopher Cabaldon, West Sacramento, CA; population 49,891

In 2004, this Filipino-American was the first person directly elected by West Sacramento voters. Since then, he's been reelected numerous times and is currently working to keep his job. Many have lauded Cabaldon's tenure, where he helped push West Sacramento to a more sustainable future with numerous initiatives on transportation, land use, air quality and climate change, as well as housing and economic development. Cabaldon also has a passion for expanding education opportunities for Californians, and is the founding co-chair of both the Asian Pacific and Gay/Lesbian caucuses within the League of California Cities.

Christopher Clark, Mountain View, Calif.; population 76,260

In the Silicon Valley city of Mountain View, Calif., the mayor is selected from among the City Council members. Christopher Clark served as mayor in 2014, making him the city's first openly gay mayor and its youngest ever, after being on the council for just one year. "Being openly gay hasn't been a big deal at all," Clark told the Mountain View Voice in 2014. "That says a lot about our community. It's largely been a nonissue." Clark, a Victory Fund alum who has a day job as a technology executive, is running for another four-year term on the council this year, so he could become mayor again at some point.

Matt Fetick, Kennett Square, Pa., population 6,129

Matt Fetick is mayor of Kennett Square, Pa., a picturesque, historic community near Philadelphia, which is known for its large number of craft breweries and has been called one of America's coolest small towns. This Victory Fund alum and real estate professional was first elected mayor in 2009, won a second term unopposed in 2013, and will be up for reelection next year. Earlier this year, Kennett Square established a cultural exchange partnership with Moroleon, Mexico. Fetick and the Borough Council hosted a reception for a delegation from Moroleon and signed an agreement formally setting up the relationship. "As we look to the future, we are grateful that we have friends south of the border," Fetick said.

Cathy Woolard, Atlanta, population 463,878

Cathy Woolard, a veteran of the Atlanta City Council, is vying to become the city's mayor; Houston and Portland, Ore., are the only larger U.S. cities to have had an openly LGBT mayor. Woolard, a lesbian, was elected to the council in 1997, becoming one of the first out LGBT elected officials in Georgia, and eventually became council president. She left the council in 2004 and made an unsuccessful run for Congress. She has remained active in politics, lobbying state government on behalf of Georgia Equality, Planned Parenthood, and other organizations. Woolard is a Democrat and Atlanta is a heavily Democratic city, but the mayoral race is nonpartisan. There is already a crowded field of candidates for mayor in the election, which takes place November 7, 2017. She has been endorsed by the Victory Fund.