Endorsements

Lion Leadership Fund is committed to investing early in thoroughly vetted candidates seeking public office at the state and local levels in key districts across the country. We seek out and proudly support individuals who believe in the sanctity of public service – the responsibility inherent in the position to act in the best interest of their communities without shying away from tough issues or decisions and working across the aisle to find the best solutions when needed.

Georgia

(September 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes for Commissioner of Labor and Rep. Soo Hong for House District 103.

Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes

A first-generation American born in Puerto Rico and Georgia's first Latina constitutional officer, and the former President and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. She is modernizing the state's unemployment insurance system, expanding workforce training partnerships, and cutting red tape at the department, with the aim of connecting Georgians to good-paying jobs and making the department work at the speed of business.

Rep. Soo Hong

The daughter of first-generation immigrants, born in Seoul, South Korea, and brought to the United States at a young age. A Georgia Tech graduate and Mercer-trained attorney, she has practiced law for more than 18 years and owns her own firm in Gwinnett and Cobb Counties. Named a Floor Leader for Gov. Brian Kemp in 2023 and elected Vice Chair of the Majority Caucus in 2026, she is focused on public safety, defending constitutional rights, and market-based health care reforms that lower costs and expand access.

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (State Senate District 32), Representative Scott Hilton (House District 48), and Representative Sandy Donatucci (House District 105).

Sandy Donatucci

Sandy Donatucci is a military spouse, mother, breast cancer survivor, caregiver for her mom, community leader and volunteer. Focused on standing up for what is best for Georgia families, she champions tax and property-tax relief, school safety, and support for law enforcement against trafficking and gang violence.

Scott Hilton

Scott Hilton is a Peachtree Corners businessman and longtime community leader. He is a common-sense conservative who loves God, his family and Georgia. A father of three, Scott is fighting for families by fighting inflation, voting to cut income taxes, and working tirelessly to get landmark school voucher legislation passed. Scott emphasizes practical results and a close understanding of his district's needs.

Kay Kirkpatrick

Dr. Kay Kirkpatrick has represented Georgia Senate District 32 (Marietta) since 2017 and is an orthopedic hand surgeon with more than three decades of practice. She is Secretary of the Majority Caucus as well as Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Children and Families, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, and Secretary of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. While in office, Kay has focused on the hard work of governing, including passing bills to improve healthcare access, choice, and costs

(January 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Lauren Daniel for Georgia State Senate District 18.

Florida

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Alexis Calatayud for State Senate District 38.

Alexis Calatayud

Senator Alexis Calatayud gets things done for Miami-Dade families. Since winning her Florida Senate seat in 2022, she's turned a focus on upward mobility into real results — lowering the cost of living, expanding affordable housing, strengthening children's health insurance, and investing in early childhood education. A longtime education-reform advocate, she also serves on the Jackson Memorial Public Health Trust. She takes a practical, focused approach and puts results ahead of politics.

Kentucky

(September 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Rep. Vanessa Grossl for House District 88.

Rep. Vanessa Grossl

The daughter of a public school teacher and a diesel mechanic, and a former classroom teacher named Outstanding New World Languages Teacher of the Year in 2013. She and her husband run a small business, Grossl Aviation. Serving on Economic Development and Workforce Investment, Postsecondary Education, and Small Business and Information Technology, she is working to expand workforce and postsecondary opportunity and to support the small businesses that anchor one of Kentucky's most competitive districts.

Michigan

(September 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Rep. Jamie Thompson for House District 28 and Rep. Jennifer Wortz for House District 35.

Rep. Jamie Thompson

A nurse, mother, and grandmother who believes in servant leadership and works across the aisle. She has focused on protecting mental health patients, supporting families caring for incapacitated loved ones, improving menopause care, protecting Medicare for seniors, and helping children with special needs receive the coverage they deserve. Now in her second term representing a highly competitive Downriver district spanning southern Wayne and northern Monroe counties, she is working to fix local roads, fund government at sustainable levels, and hold state departments accountable. She lives in Brownstown with her husband and the three grandchildren they are raising.

Rep. Jennifer Wortz

A working farmer who, with her husband, owns and operates Central Grace Farms, and a former agriscience teacher and manager of the Branch County Conservation District. As Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, she is working to deliver regulatory relief for farmers and small businesses, defend constitutional freedoms, and make sure rural Michigan has a voice in Lansing.

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Laura Perry (House District 31), Patrick Kapenga (House District 89), and Lynn Afendoulis (House District 90).

Lynn Afendoulis

Lynn Afendoulis is a lifelong resident of the greater Grand Rapids, Mich., area who had a long career in media and business, and community leadership. She served one term as a State Representative and was Tax Policy chair. She is the granddaughter of immigrants, the daughter of a teacher and a small business owner, and an Orthodox Christian. Lynn is running to bring fiscal responsibility and common sense conservatism to Lansing.

Patrick Kapenga

Patrick Kapenga is a West Michigan native, business owner, and farmer's son whose career spans manufacturing, healthcare analytics, retail management, and entrepreneurship. That hands-on experience gives him a practical, problem-solving approach and a clear-eyed view of what employers, workers, and families across the region actually need to get ahead. Raised on a farm, Patrick credits his roots for his work ethic and his focus on getting things done rather than scoring points. He's running to bring that same results-first mindset to Lansing: cut through the noise, solve real problems, and deliver for West Michigan.

Laura Perry

Laura Perry is a mother and business leader who is running to make Michigan stronger and more competitive. She is deeply involved in her community through her work with multiple local development authorities, a varsity soccer coach, and as a member of the Project SEARCH Business Advisory Council, which supports workforce readiness and employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities. She’s running to champion lower taxes, local control, strong schools, public safety, and small businesses in Lansing.

Montana

(May 4, 2026) — Today Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Courtenay Sprunger (State House District 7), Kerri Seekins-Crowe (State House District 39), Brad Barker (State House District 55), Michele Binkley (State House District 85), and David Bedey (State Senate District 43).

Representative Courtenay Sprunger

A fifth-generation Montanan and small business owner, Sprunger has built her career on bringing people together to solve tough challenges—from securing tax relief and improving infrastructure to expanding education and housing opportunities. She has championed landmark investments in roads, workforce development, and public safety, and is passionate about using her voice to promote the common good for all Montanans.

Representative Kerri Seekins-Crowe

A strong voice for protecting the most vulnerable, Seekins-Crowe champions policies that defend life, strengthen families, and uphold community values. She serves as Vice Chair of the Business and Labor Committee and chairs both the Republican Energy Caucus and Gun/Archery Range Commission. Running for her fourth term, she continues to fight for those without a voice.

Representative David Bedey

A retired Army colonel who served 30 years including deployment during the Persian Gulf War and as a professor at West Point, Bedey returned home to Hamilton where he served as CFO of an engineering firm and nine years on the local school board. Now completing his fourth term in the Montana House, he has sponsored bills on education funding, public health policy, and election security.

Minnesota

(September 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Sen. Julia Coleman for Senate District 48, Sen. Keri Hentzeman for Senate District 6, Rep. Bernie Perryman Senate District 14, Sara Bertschinger for House District 20B, and Geri Theis for House District 15B.

Sen. Julia Coleman

Julia Coleman is a Republican member of the Minnesota Senate representing District 48 in eastern Carver County, a seat she has held since January 2021 after first winning election in 2020 and being re-elected in 2022; she was the youngest woman ever elected to the Minnesota Senate. A University of Minnesota graduate who previously served on the Chanhassen City Council and worked as a public-relations manager in the state’s medical-device industry, she is Assistant Minority Leader and Republican lead on the Senate Education Policy Committee. Coleman lives in Waconia with her husband, Jacob, and their three sons where she coaches flag football and young women competing in scholarship pageants.

Sen. Keri Heintzeman

Keri Heintzeman is a small business owner, homeschool mom of six, and Minnesota State Senator representing District 6. She brings a practical, results-driven approach to the Legislature, focused on protecting taxpayers, strengthening rural Minnesota, supporting responsible mining and natural resource development, expanding educational freedom, defending constitutional rights, and holding government accountable for waste and fraud. Keri believes conservative leadership means more than talking about our values. It means doing the hard work, building coalitions, and turning those principles into results for Minnesota families.

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Tanja Goering for House District 13A.

Tanja Goering

Tanja Goering was born and raised in Minnesota and as a human-resources professional, she has seen how decisions made in St. Paul have real-world impact on families and businesses. She’s running to restore trust in state government and to help Minnesota become a place where families feel hopeful about their future.

New York

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Saritha Komatireddy for New York Attorney General.

Saritha Komatireddy

Saritha Komatireddy is a respected former prosecutor, national security expert, and public servant with a career devoted to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans. A mother of four, she is running for New York Attorney General to protect public safety, eliminate corruption and fraud, and make enforcing the law the top priority of the AG’s office.

Pennsylvania

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Senator Lisa Baker and Representative Andrea Verobish.

Andrea Verobish

Andrea Verobish is a Blair County conservative committed to delivering results for hardworking families, strengthening local communities, and ensuring Pennsylvania remains a place where businesses can grow, workers can succeed, and future generations can thrive. Andrea is a lifelong public servant who has a track record of working for the people of Pennsylvania.

Lisa Baker

Lisa Baker has been regarded as one of Pennsylvania’s most effective legislators at turning bills into law. She has led on victims' rights, gift-ban reform, and funding for hospitals, universities, and public schools, with recent focus on AI transparency and local control of data-center land use. While chairing the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, Lisa keeps her focus on what matters: being accessible and listening to her constituents.

(February 26, 2026) — Today Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Sarah Sagredo-Hammond for Texas House District 41. Learn more.

Sarah Sagredo Hammond endorsement graphic (1) (1).png

(May 4, 2026) — Today Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Tracy Pennycuick (State Senate District 24), Kristin Marcell (State House District 178), and Martina White (State House District 170).

Senator Tracy Pennycuick

A 26-year U.S. Army veteran who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after three combat tours, Pennycuick serves as Chair of the Senate Communications & Technology Committee. She has led bipartisan efforts to combat AI-generated exploitation of children and authored legislation protecting families and veterans. After military service, she started a small business and served as Director of Veterans Affairs for Montgomery County.

Representative Kristin Marcell

A Bucks County mom and former school board member who got her start fighting to save her local elementary school, Marcell is focused on delivering for local families, supporting strong schools, promoting economic growth, ensuring fiscal accountability, and keeping communities safe. Kristin knows firsthand that personal attacks and vitriol don’t solve our problems and that politics as usual doesn’t bring people together. Instead, she believes in working together and taking action to get results.

Utah

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Heidi Balderee for State Senate District 22.

Heidi Balderee

Heidi Balderree represents Utah Senate District 22 where she has continued her work building coalitions to advance school choice and income-tax reduction. Heidi is focused on tackling the problems Utah families care about like transportation, affordable housing, education, and economic stability.

Texas

(July 2026) — Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Kirsta Melton for Hays County District Attorney.

Kirsta Melton

Kirsta Melton is a 25-year felony prosecutor running as an Independent for Hays County District Attorney because it’s time the people, not the party elites, speak up and are heard. She believes justice should be independent, free from consideration of anything other than the facts and the law. Hays County needs and deserves prosecutors who will do their job with professionalism, integrity, and transparency.

(May 4, 2026) — Today Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic Republican public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its endorsement of Jill Koford (State Senate District 5) and Tiara Auxier (State House District 4).

Representative Jill Koford

A lifelong Weber County resident and current House member who flipped the only Democrat seat held outside Salt Lake County in 2024. With a Master of Teaching from USC and service on Natural Resources, Revenue and Taxation, and as Vice Chair of Higher Ed Appropriations, Koford has passed important water legislation and property tax transparency measures. She believes in small government, limited taxes, and individual liberty.

Representative Tiara Auxier (State House District 4)

Appointed in January 2025 and seeking her first election, Auxier brings fresh energy and perspective to representing her community in the Utah Legislature.
"These candidates understand that public service is about more than talking points – it's about showing up, doing the hard work, and delivering for the people who elected you," Iovino added. "We're proud to support leaders who embody those values."