Early voting is underway and while many are focused on the presidential race, there are plenty of state and local races that Georgia Equality wants voters to be aware of as they head to the polls.

Today the state's largest LGBT political advocacy organizations released its 2012 endorsed candidates for the Nov. 6 general election:


STATE SENATE



SD 6 - Doug Stoner



SD 9 - Scott Drake




STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES



HD 58 – Simone Bell



HD 86 - Michele Henson

HD 93 – Dar’shun Kendrick



HD 96 - Pedro Marin

HD 105 – Renita Hamilton



HD 118 – Spencer Frye




CHATHAM COUNTY



District Attorney - Meg Daly



County Commission Chair - Al Scott



County Commission District 6 - Willie Brown

Early voting continues through Nov. 2. To find out where your early voting location is, visit www.sos.ga.gov/elections.

There are several gay candidates on the ballot on Nov. 6 in addition to Rep. Simone Bell, including Timothy Swiney, running as a Democrat for House District 101; and Tim Riley, running for the State Senate District 47 seat as a Democrat.

Georgia Equality is also working hard to ensure fair-minded candidates are elected or retain their seats in the state legislature to block a Republican stronghold of both the Senate and the House.

Photo: State Rep. Simone Bell (far right) sits with supporters at Manuel's during the July primary watch party. She faces Republican Earl Cooper on Nov. 6. Bell is endorsed by LGBT advocacy group Georgia Equality. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)