HISTORIC

The 2 Trans Women Running for Congress

Two trans women ran in two separate Democratic primaries for Congress. Both won.

Among the many Democrats running for Congress this year, two are trans women. Both, oddly enough, are named Misty.

On Tuesday, Misty Snow and Misty Plowright became the first openly trans candidates to win major party primaries for Congress, the Washington Post reports. Snow is now the Democratic nominee for senator of Utah, while Plowright is running to represent Colorado in the House of Representatives.

Neither candidate considers the fact that she’s trans an important part of her platform.

“I’m not running because I’m transgender,” Snow told the Salt Lake Tribune. “I just happen to be transgender.”

That may be true, but trans Americans could use a voice in government right now. Snow and Plowright are running to hold office at a time when “bathroom laws” that many consider discriminatory against trans people are being passed in states around the country.

However, experts say both Mistys have tough general elections ahead of them, and neither may make it into Congress. But that doesn’t make this moment any less historic. If there’s ever a statue of the first transgender congressional candidate, we know what her first name will be.

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Nathan Place

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