SALT LAKE CITY — Democrats in some of the reddest pockets of the interior West have nominated transgender women for Congress. They’re sending a message of inclusivity in races many consider unwinnable for the party.
Misty Snow was nominated Tuesday in Utah to challenge GOP U.S. Sen. Mike Lee. In Colorado, Misty Plowright won a primary to challenge Republican Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn in Colorado’s most conservative congressional seat.
The seats are considered the deepest red. Utah hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1970, and Colorado’s 5th Congressional District hasn’t chosen a Democrat since the district was created in 1972.
Both candidates say their gender identities weren’t major factors in their primary contests. Other Democrats say the nominations send a message that Democrats are a party of inclusion.
MICHELLE L. PRICE
KRISTEN WYATT
