Lion Leadership Fund Announces Latest 2026 Slate Endorsements

National Leadership Organization Backs Proven Leaders Across the Country

Washington, D.C. – Today Lion Leadership Fund (LLF), a national 527 political organization dedicated to electing principled and pragmatic public leaders at the state and local levels, announced its newest endorsement of a slate of candidates in legislative races across the country.

The latest group of endorsed candidates reflects the same breadth that has defined LLF's 2026 slate – military veterans, nurses, farmers, educators, and small business owners – all sharing a commitment to effective governance and putting constituents first. These endorsements build on the initial slate announced earlier this year, and LLF expects to continue announcing additional candidates in the weeks ahead.

"As our slate grows, so does our conviction that this is the kind of leadership our country needs: experienced, principled, and focused on solving problems rather than playing politics," said Amanda Iovino, Senior Advisor to Lion Leadership Fund. "Every candidate we're endorsing today has shown they can deliver results for their communities while having the courage to make tough decisions."

The newest LLF Endorsed Candidates include:

MICHIGAN

Laura Perry House District 31 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.

Patrick Kapenga House District 89Patrick 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.

Lynn Afendoulis

Michigan - House District 90

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. 

MINNESOTA

Tanja Goering House District 13A 

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.

GEORGIA

Senator Kay Kirkpatrick State Senate District 32 

Dr. Kay Kirkpatrick has represented 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. 

Representative Scott Hilton House District 48

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.

Representative Sandy Donatucci House District 105

Sandy Donatucci is a military spouse, mother, breast cancer survivor, caregiver for 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.

TEXAS

Kirsta Melton Hays County, TX — District Attorney 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.

PENNSYLVANIA

Senator Lisa Baker State Senate District 20 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.

Representative Andrea Verobish House District 79 

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.

FLORIDA

Alexis Calatayud State Senate District 38

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.

NEW YORK

Saritha Komatireddy Attorney General 

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.

UTAH

Heidi Balderee State Senate District 22 

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.

About Lion Leadership Fund

The Lion Leadership Fund supports conservative candidates who demonstrate principled leadership, and 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. Learn more about Lion Leadership Fund.

Media Contact: 

Amanda Iovino

516-459-5931

amanda@pantheoninsight.com