NBC: Twenty Transgender Candidates Running for Office in US

At least 20 transgender candidates are currently running for office across the United States, NBC News reports.

“We are making 2017 the year of the trans candidate," said Victory Fund President Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, whose organization has endorsed trans candidate Danica Roem for a seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates.

"We have more transgender people running this cycle than almost all other cycles combined.”

Roem is challenging longtime Republican incumbent Bob Marshall to represent Virginia's 13th district. If she wins, she would become the first openly transgender representative in the chamber.

“I wouldn’t have entered this race if I didn't’ think I have a more than 50 percent chance of beating him. I’ve analyzed the numbers. I can win this race," Roem said. "Democrats think I can win this race. I have proven I have the infrastructure to do it. I am a lifelong member of the district who is thoroughly versed on the issues and whose campaign has knocked on 6,000 doors to date.”

Only two transgender candidates have held office as a state legislator in the United States.

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