Equality California Announces Lauren Cazares as Associate Director of Political Affairs

LOS ANGELES - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced today the hiring of Lauren Cazares to serve as the organization's new Associate Director of Political Affairs. Cazares brings nearly a decade of experience in community relations, electoral strategy, public policy, and LGBTQ+ advocacy to the role. She currently serves as the Vice Mayor of the City of La Mesa, where she was elected in 2024 as the first out LGBTQ+ council member in Eastern San Diego County.

"Lauren's strategy expertise and firsthand knowledge of what it takes to run a successful campaign provide her a unique insight into this role," said Executive Director Tony Hoang. "As we gear up for the largest electoral and get-out-the-vote efforts in the history of our organization, having Lauren on board will allow us to meet 2026's political challenges head on, support more candidates and campaigns at all levels of government, and expand LGBTQ+ representation in the halls of power from school board offices to the U.S. Congress."

Along with her responsibilities as an elected official, Cazares serves as East Area Vice Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party and as an Executive Board Member of the California Democratic Party. Most recently, Lauren served as Interim Executive Director of the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP) and founded a boutique political fundraising firm supporting community-focused candidates. She previously led environmental and education policy at the largest chamber of commerce on the West Coast, and served in the administration of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.

A first-generation college graduate, she earned her B.A. in Political Science and Women's Studies from Point Loma Nazarene University, where she founded the Loma LGBTQIA+ Alumni & Allies Coalition. She currently resides in La Mesa, CA.

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