Trans Candidate Would Be First In Nation In State Office

A transgender candidate has submitted her name for consideration to an appointment to the Md. House of Delegates to replace a late state lawmaker.

The Washington Blade (www.washingtonblade.com/2007/12-7/news/localnews/11685.cfm) reported today that Dana Beyer has announced her candidacy to fill the position in the Md. state house left vacant Jane Lawton, a Democrat who died suddenly at the end of last month.

Lawton was 63. She had been a member of the Md. House of Delegates since 2005, reported the Blade.

Members of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee will gather for a special meeting on Dec. 11 to choose Lawton's replacement. There will not be a public vote, the Blade article said.

Said Beyer, "I always wanted to serve with Jane."

Added the candidate, "I didn't want to replace her."

This is not Beyer's first attempt to gain political office. Last year, Beyer ran for state delegate, but lost.

The blade article quoted Beyer as saying, "It's not how I wanted to become a delegate, but it is what it is and you make the best of what you have and you move forward."

Continued Beyer, "And that's how you honor the memory of those past."

If Beyer is selected to succeed Lawton, she would become the first transgender state lawmaker in America.

The article said that the Central Committee would be accepting applications for the seat though Monday, Dec. 10.

Applicants so far include a Central Committee member and a precinct vice chair.

Central Committee treasurer Simon Atlas thought that between five and 10 candidates would apply for the seat.

Beyer was optimistic about her chances, saying, "I'd like to think the Central Committee will replace a strong woman with another strong woman."

Added Beyer, "I think that's what Jane would have wanted, but it's not my call."

Lawton's shoes will be large for whichever successor takes her place. The Blade reported that she received a perfect score from Equality Maryland, a statewide GLBT organization, on a candidate questionnaire from 2006.

Among other things, Lawton promised to pursue marriage equality, the Blade reported, quoting from comments Lawton made to the publication before her death.

Said Lawton, "I believe that same-sex couples and all persons have a right to enjoy the same civil rights under the law and that sexual preferences should be respected and supported."

Equality Maryland's executive director, Dan Furmansky, lamented Lawton's death, saying, "She was a special, warm, caring person who very personally supported LGBT equality and never failed to show up for a big Equality Maryland benefit or event to lend her support."he said.

Furmansky supported the idea of Beyer succeeding Lawton, saying, "Dana Beyer is without a doubt an exceptional candidate for the House of Delegates who would bring an advocacy background, county policy experience, and years of practice as a physician to her work in the General Assembly."

Continued Furmansky, "She would be the first statewide transgender elected official in the nation and would completely alter the dialogue about who transgender people are and what they contribute to our communities."

Among Beyers' campaign issues from last year's election were universal health care, support for the schools, and wage support for workers.

Said Beyer. "Those are still the issues that matter," she said. "I've been working down at the local level, and I think the state can truly make a difference."

The Blade reported that Beyer, like Lawton, scored perfectly on the Equality Maryland questionnaire.

Beyer indicated that the speed of the Central Committee's work to replace Lawton was due to legislative scheduling, and speculated that the short time frame would limit the number of applicants for Lawton's seat.

"Considering the tragedy that has led to this, that may be a good thing, because it doesn't allow for any campaigning or lobbying," Beyer said.

Beyer also said that she did not intend to campaign vigorously for the position.