Nevada GOP Picks First Trans Republican Candidate in U.S. History

The Nevada State Republican party has made history by tapping military veteran and transgender woman Lauren Scott to run against a Democrat in Nevada Assembly District 30. Scott ran previously as a Democrat.

A recent article in Gay Star News notes that Scott nabbed 58 percent of the vote over rival Republican primary candidate Adam Khan, who had been endorsed by the Nevada Republican Assembly.

But Scott got the edge via a ringing endorsement from Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, who had appointed her to Nevada's Equal Rights Commission in 2012. Scott also helped found the group Equality Nevada. Now she will work to unseat Democratic incumbent Michael Sprinkle to become the first transgender state legislator in the U.S. and first trans Republican to ever win office.

"I am humbled and honored by the overwhelming support of my campaign," Scott posted on Facebook. "A big thank you goes out to all my friends and the voters of AD30 for trusting me to be their voice in the state legislature in 2015."

But Scott is not relying on this novelty to win her the election; she is grateful for support, but has a solid plan of action.

"We need visionary and decisive leaders in Carson City, not legislators beholden to powerful unions or corporate interests," writes Scott on her website. "If left unchecked, political cronyism will turn Nevada into a corporate wasteland, not a state for the people. I will bring leadership and integrity to the Nevada Assembly. I will put the people of Nevada, not good ol' boy politics, first."

Scott notes that she was an active-duty member of the US Air Force for nearly seven years, serving three years in Nevada at the Tonopah Test Range in support of F-117A Stealth Fighter operations, and qualifying as a small arms expert with the M-16 rifle. Scott earned two Achievement Medals and received a Commendation Medal for her service during Operation Desert Storm.

She will focus on reducing unemployment, developing sound fiscal policies and providing needed revenues without new taxation. Scott's top concerns include speeding up job creation by reducing energy costs, removing barriers to competition, encouraging rural development and supporting Nevada entrepreneurs.