Clark County Nevada school board candidate; being gay is unconstitutional – Los Angeles Blade
CARSON CITY, NV. — Nevada Democrat Kimi Cole announced Wednesday that she will seek the state’s open lieutenant governor’s seat in 2022. If elected, she would become the first openly trans candidate elected to statewide office in the country, according to her campaign.
In a statement, Cole said: “I’m a lifelong Nevadan with deep roots all across our state. I’m running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe Nevadans of all walks of life want and deserve authentic leadership, and that’s exactly what this campaign is about. Our economy, climate, and everyday life is rapidly changing, and we need someone who can help lead our transition into the new era. This past year, we have proven our resilience — fighting COVID, the climate crisis, and economic collapse — but far too many of our political leaders remain intent upon dividing us up and even threatening the very essence of our Democracy. It’s time for us to come together and continue to make progress on the promise of Nevada for every Nevadan.”
Cole, the Nevada Democratic Rural Caucus chair, is the first Democratic candidate to formally announce a bid for the seat. Kate Marshall vacated the seat after being appointed a post in the Biden administration.
Three Republicans — former Nevada state treasurer Dan Schwartz, Las Vegas City Councilmember Stavros Anthony and conservative activist Mack Miller — have also announced their campaigns for lieutenant governor.
She announced her historic bid during a press conference at the Nevada State Legislature Wednesday.
According to Politico, Cole’s team features alumni from progressives Tom Steyer, Bernie Sanders and Cori Bush. She expects her campaign to garner national attention.
Cole, who publicly transitioned a decade ago, has been a fixture in Nevada Democratic politics since 2012 and a champion for LGBTQ+ rights.
Cole, a retired construction project manager, has long advocated for more investment in rural communities. A press release states that “her work organizing rural Democrats has served as a model for state Democratic parties across the nation.”
“Talking points will either come out of Las Vegas or Washington, D.C., and they really don’t connect with the rural voters,” she told Politico.