Washington, DC – The First Ask has endorsed seven women who have successfully won their primaries and will appear on the ballot this November as candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates.

The First Ask has endorsed the following candidates: Lily Franklin (HD-41), May Nivar (HD-57), Stacey Carroll (HD-64), Nicole Cole (HD-66), Leslie Mehta (HD-73), Lindsey Dougherty (HD-75), and Kacey Carnegie (HD-89). All of the candidates are running in districts which are currently represented by Republicans. 

Washington, DC — The First Ask has announced its support for Debra Shigley, a Democrat running in the special election for Georgia Senate District 21.

Shigley has been a community leader in Fulton and Cherokee counties as an attorney, journalist, author, and small-business owner, as well as being active in the Fulton County public school system’s parent-teacher association. The First Ask had previously endorsed Shigley during her 2024 Georgia State House run, where she ran on a platform of  supporting public education, and making the cost of living more affordable. 

Washington, DC — The First Ask has announced its support for Amanda Treppa, a Democrat running to represent newly redistricted Michigan Senate Seat 10. Treppa was born into homelessness and lived in the foster care system until she was adopted by a family in Macomb County. Now, Treppa is an advocate for working families, equity, and opportunity, working at Detroit Action and helping pass the Workplace Psychological Safety Act in Michigan and Connecticut.

Washington, DC — The First Ask has announced its support for Lily Franklin, a Democrat running to represent Virginia House of Delegates 41st District. Franklin previously ran for the seat in 2023 and came within 183 votes of flipping the seat blue. Franklin is a former teacher who has led policy initiatives as a staffer in the House of Delegates. 

Washington, DC — The First Ask proudly announces its full support for Leslie Mehta’s campaign for Virginia House of Delegates. Mehta is currently the interim CEO of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation which provides resources and treatment support to people with Rett Syndrome. She has a law degree from Howard Law School and completed her undergraduate education at the University of North Caroline Chapel Hill. Mehta has worked in a variety of legal positions from a private law firm to working for the organizations to an administrative government job.

Washington, DC — The First Ask announces its support for Kacey Carnegie’s campaign for Virginia House of Delegates. Carnegie currently runs her own law practice now called Carnegie Law Group in Chesapeake, Virginia after graduating from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in order to give back to her community. 

Washington, D.C. — As Women's History Month begins, The First Ask recognizes the invaluable contributions of women throughout history and emphasizes the need for greater representation in state legislatures. 

In the organization’s inaugural year, The First Ask supported more than 20 women running for state legislative seats across the country. This year, The First Ask is fully committed to electing women to Virginia and New Jersey’s state legislatures and strengthening Democratic majorities in both states. Thus far, there are three endorsees including Katie Brennan of New Jersey Assembly District 32, May Nivar of Virginia House District 57, and Nicole Cole of Virginia House District 66. 

The First Ask Announces Their Endorsement of May Nivar for Virginia House of Delegates District 57

Washington, DC — The First Ask announces its support for Democrat May Nivar’s candidacy for Virginia House of Delegates in the 57th District. As the daughter of immigrants, Nivar has spent her career advocating for families like her own. Nivar’s 30 years of experience in corporate communications have allowed her to be an advocate for workforce development, women’s rights, and marginalized communities. In the House of Delegates, Nivar promises to fight to lower the cost of living and build an economy that works for everyone, fully fund public education, and defend reproductive freedom.

Washington, DC — The First Ask proudly announces its full support for Nicole Cole’s campaign for Virginia House of Delegates in the 66th District. Born and raised in Virginia, Cole is a business owner, financial planner and advisor, nonprofit leader, and proud mother of three. She serves as a member of the Spotsylvania County School Board.

Washington, DC — The First Ask proudly announces its full support for Katie Brennan’s campaign for New Jersey State Assembly. Brennan began her career in politics working against then-Governor Chris Christie to preserve protections for affordable housing. She launched the first-ever statewide hospital and housing agency partnership, creating a model for building affordable housing for families with serious medical needs.

Washington, DC – Results are in from the Georgia legislative primary and The First Ask has claimed victory in four different elections.

The First Ask congratulates their endorsed Georgia candidates: Debra Shigley (House District 47), Susie Greenberg (House District 53), Michele Kang (House District 99), and Mary Ann Santos (House District 117). 

Washington, DC – The First Ask endorsed candidate Molly Cook won her Special Election to represent Texas’s 15th Senate District by a 14 point margin. Senator-Elect Cook is the first woman to represent this Democratic stronghold in the Texas Senate. In addition, Cook will be the only nurse serving in the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature.

Senator-Elect Cook will be on the ballot again on May 28 for the primary run-off election.