Jennifer Esteen, May Become Bay Area’s First Gay, Black, Jewish Woman Elected to the California Assembly

An incumbent assembly member out of California’s East Bay recently announced he wouldn’t seek reelection next year.

The announcement now leaves room for a historic change in leadership, especially for Jennifer Esteen.

Esteen is now in the race for Alameda County’s 20th Assembly District seat unopposed.

75-year-old Assemblyman Bill Quirk held the position in 2012. If Esteen is elected, she will become the first openly gay Black member of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, BET reported.

Although the area is comprised of 33% Asian, 29% Latinx, and 9% African-American residents, the district has only had white elected representation.

Esteen spoke exclusively with BET saying, “I am proud to be running to represent the communities of AD 20. Not only because I will be the first openly gay, Black, Jewish legislator (in the US) or the first Black representative of AD 20, but also because I will get there and on day one begin to fight for the people of my district over special interests.”

Esteen’s potential has earned attention and endorsements from major players in the area, including endorsements from Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, and numerous other San Francisco Bay area organizations and individuals.

In addition to potentially becoming the first Black person to serve, she would also become the first woman since 1998 to represent the area.

Esteen worked at San Francisco General Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Room as a psychiatric nurse and currently serves as vice president of organizing for the Service Employees International Union Local 1021.

She lives with her wife and children and hopes to represent those like her. She said in a statement, “I appreciate Assemblymember Quirk’s decades of public service and his commitment to the people of this district,” but continued, “Months ago when we decided to run this campaign, and challenge a sitting incumbent, it was because we knew our community needs bold new leadership centered from  within the community.”

She has campaigned with the vows to serve beholden only to her constituents, who she says have historically been left behind.

“That’s why from day one, I committed to reject corporate contributions including those from oil and gas companies, police associations, or real estate developers. That way I can truly say the only interests I am bringing with me to Sacramento are those of the people in my district and the people of California.”