Unknown Transgender Wins Democratic Senate Nomination Over Mormon in Utah’s Primary

Democrats voted for a man to challenge Senator Mike Lee this November who calls himself "Misty Snow."

By Nancy Flory Published on June 29, 2016

In Utah’s Democratic Senate primary Tuesday, voters picked an unknown, high-school graduate “transgender” over a self-described “conservative Democrat” Mormon to go up against Republican Sen. Mike Lee in November.

A man who calls himself “Misty K. Snow” entered the race at the last minute because he “wanted to offer an alternative” to Democrat Jonathan Swinton, reported The Salt Lake Tribune. Snow has no formal education beyond high school and currently works as a cashier at a grocery store. According to The Hill“Misty K. Snow will be the first transgender Senate candidate.”

Swinton called the results of the primary “disappointing,” and said that he’d hoped Democrats would look at the big picture, adding “The reality is, I’ve done my best to run an honorable campaign.”

The 30-year-old Snow began living as a woman in 2014 and believes his status as a transgender could boost his support among voters. Snow says he’s got a pretty good shot, mainly because he is an unknown transgender who is running on a socialistic platform. In any event, he’s trying to make history. “A lot of people have told me whether I win or lose, I’m already making a difference just by running,” he said.

Snow called Lee “loathsome,” and pledged to fight him vigorously. Democrats have been trying to unseat Lee, who is running without challenge within his party, in the historically conservative state. Snow’s campaign has thus far looked a lot like Senator Bernie Sanders’ — calling for $15-an-hour minimum wage, legalized marijuana and free or reduced tuition education, among other socially liberal ideas. According to The Hill, Snow also gained with Democratic voters “in part by criticizing Swinton for supporting restrictions on abortion rights.”

It is unclear at this time how the conservative, primarily Mormon, electorate of Utah will respond to a transgender Democrat with little education running to represent them in the Senate. A poll taken in early June found that Lee has a 51-37 percent lead on Snow and political pundits expect Republicans to hold onto the seat.

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