Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Middleton has launched her candidacy for California's 28th State Senate District. If elected, Middleton would become the first openly trans lawmaker to serve in the California Legislature.
California’s 28th State Senate District encompasses the Riverside County communities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Wildomar. The seat is current held by Republican Melissa Melendez who is blocked by term limits.
Middleton made history when she was first elected to the Palm Springs City Council in 2017. She won reelection handily last November.
The last Democrat to represent Senate District 28 was Ted Lieu (2011-2014). Middleton’s campaign notes that the majority of voters in the district supported Joe Biden in 2020 and that Democrats now have a two-point registration advantage there.
Read more at the Desert Sun.