LGBTQ Leaders Endorse Tom Umberg

La Habra, CA – Today, the Umberg for State Board of Equalization campaign announced endorsements from prominent LGBTQ leaders across California, reflecting growing statewide support for Umberg’s candidacy.

The LGBTQ endorsements include:

  • State Senator Scott Wiener (D – San Francisco)

  • State Senator Steve Padilla (D – Chula Vista)

  • Assemblymember Chris Ward (D – San Diego)

  • State Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D – Riverside)

  • State Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz)

  • State Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D – West Sacramento)

  • Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D – Riverside)

The endorsements reflect broad confidence among LGBTQ leaders in Umberg’s long-standing commitment to equality and civil rights, including at moments when doing so carried real political risk.

In announcing his endorsement, State Senator Scott Wiener said:

“Tom Umberg has stood with the LGBTQ community not just when it was popular, but when it required real conviction. His record reflects a long-standing commitment to equality, civil rights, and protecting people from discrimination. That consistency and integrity are why I am proud to support Tom Umberg for the Board of Equalization.”

Umberg has backed those principles with action throughout his career. As the sole Democrat elected at any level in Orange County, he cast the decisive vote to pass legislation that would have legalized same-sex marriage in California, fully aware it could cost him politically—and he never regretted that decision.

More recently, when transgender students and educators were targeted in one of his school districts, Umberg intervened directly, pressed for accountability, and supported the successful effort to reverse those policies. In the Legislature, he has continued to vote to protect LGBTQ students and communities from being used as fodder in partisan culture wars, while advancing transparency and accountability in enforcement practices that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

In response to the endorsements, Umberg said, “The support of LGBTQ leaders across California reflects years of standing together on hard fights. I value that trust, and I take seriously the responsibility that comes with it.”

On the Board of Equalization, Umberg will bring that same sense of responsibility and fairness to protecting homeowners, ensuring local communities are not shortchanged, and holding large corporations and utilities to the same standards as everyone else. The Board plays a critical role in administering California’s tax system and safeguarding revenue that supports public education, public safety, and essential local services.

These endorsements add to a growing coalition backing Umberg’s campaign, which includes labor organizations, members of Congress, and Democratic leaders from across Southern California and throughout the state, including:

Organizations

  • SEIU California

  • Operating Engineers, Local 12

  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 36

  • UA, Local 250

  • United Farm Workers

  • Democrats of Greater Irvine

  • Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club

Elected Officials

  • U.S. Senator Adam Schiff

  • U.S. Senator (ret.) Barbara Boxer

  • State Superintendent of Public Instruction (ret.) Jack O’Connell (D)

  • Board of Equalization Member Sally Lieber (D – District 2)

  • Board of Equalization Member (ret.) Johan Klehs (D – District 1)

  • Congressman Lou Correa (D – Santa Ana)

  • Congressman Derek Tran (D – Cypress)

  • Congressman Juan Vargas (D – San Diego)

  • Congressman Dave Min (D – Irvine)

  • Congressman Mike Levin (D – Carlsbad)

  • Senate Pro Tem Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara)

  • State Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D – Corona)

  • State Senator (ret.) Bob Hertzberg (D – Los Angeles)

  • State Senator (ret.) Josh Newman (D – Irvine)

  • State Senate Mike McGuire (D – Santa Rosa)

  • State Senator Steve Padilla (D – Chula Vista)

  • State Senator Akilah Weber-Pierson (D – San Diego)

  • State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)

  • State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz)

  • State Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento)

  • State Senator (ret.)  Maj. Gen. Richard Roth (D – Riverside)

  • Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister)

  • Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D – Palmdale)

  • Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D – Compton)

  • Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D – Riverside)

  • Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D – Irvine)

  • Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton)

  • Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D – San Diego)

  • Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D – Orange)

  • Assemblymember Chris Ward (D –  San Diego)

  • Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D – San Bernardino)

  • Assemblymember Louis Caldera (ret.) (D – Los Angeles)

  • Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee

  • Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut

  • Buena Park Mayor Art Brown (ret.)

  • Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Leon

  • Cypress Councilmember Leo Medrano

  • Fullerton Councilmember Dr. Shana Charles

  • Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua

  • Santa Ana Councilmember Thai Viet Phan

Individuals

  • Democratic Party of Orange County Chair Florice Hoffman

  • Democratic Party of San Bernardino County Chair Kristin Washington
  • California Young Democrats President Giovanni Chavez
  • San Bernardino Young Democrats Chair Gabriel Alfaro
  • CADEM Regional Director, Region 16 Tariq Azim
  • President of Chula Vista Democratic Club (ret.) Jose Cerda