Ashley Brundage, a transgender woman running for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives, hopes to make history as the first trans woman elected to public office in the state. She credits Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has supported anti-LGBTQ bills, for inspiring her campaign. Brundage is one of 18 transgender candidates running for state legislatures this election cycle as trans issues have become more prominent in the political landscape due to anti-LGBTQ legislation. The candidates are also focusing on a range of other policy issues such as affordable housing and climate change. The visibility of trans candidates has increased since Virginia’s Danica Roem became the first trans person elected to a state legislature in 2017.
Despite facing transphobia on the campaign trail, candidates like Kim Coco Iwamoto in Hawaii and Veronica Pejril in Indiana remain focused on their priorities such as addressing homelessness and healthcare freedoms. Like many other candidates, they prioritize issues beyond LGBTQ rights, such as infrastructure and public safety. Wick Thomas in Missouri is concerned about censorship in school libraries and believes that anti-trans laws and anti-library laws are linked.
While some candidates have faced verbal attacks and online harassment, they remain determined to advocate for their communities and push for positive change. The increasing presence of trans candidates in politics signals a shift towards greater inclusivity and representation in government.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com