SCOTT SONNER
Associated Press
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada Republican is trying to unseat an incumbent Democratic assemblyman in a blue-collar district in Sparks to become the first openly transgender person to serve in a state Legislature.
Lauren Scott used to be a Democrat who worked on Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaign, and she has her picture with Vice President Joe Biden on her website.
She admits many people thought her candidacy was a “bit of a joke.”
But the 51-year-old businesswoman says voters are learning there’s more to her platform than just civil rights. Scott founded a company that manufactures semiconductor equipment and won an Air Force Commendation Medal during Operation Desert Storm.
She thinks the GOP’s strong showing in early voting could help her pull off an upset against first-term Democrat Mike Sprinkle.
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