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Chelsea Manning To Run For US Senate

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A transgender former Army private has filed to run for the U.S. Senate in Maryland, according to federal election filings.

Chelsea Manning will be challenging Democrat Ben Cardin, who will be up for re-election in November for a third term in the Senate, according to The Washington Post.

Manning, who was born a man but now identifies as a female, said he might release a statement next week, but declined to speak about why he is running.

“Our only statement on the record is, ‘No statement,'” Manning said.

His candidacy file says Manning is running as a Democrat, and the Democrat primary is scheduled for the end of June.

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The Post reported that even though Cardin is not considered to be vulnerable to a challenge for his Senate seat, the outside candidate could entice donors who are interested in a progressive political agenda.

Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley, was convicted of leaking classified U.S. documents to Wikileaks in 2013 and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Former President Barack Obama commuted Manning’s sentence to time served and he was released from military prison last year.

After his release, Manning moved to Maryland and has written for The Guardian and Medium about a variety of topics including transparency, free speech and transgender rights, according to The Post.

Campaign director for Fight for the Future Evan Greer remarked on Manning’s candidacy in an email.

“Chelsea Manning has fought for freedom and sacrificed for it in ways that few others have,” he wrote. ‘The world is a better place with her as a free woman, and this latest news makes it clear she is only beginning to make her mark on it.”

A political science professor at St. Mary’s College Todd Elberly was not surprised by Manning’s filing, according to The Post.

“My initial thought quite literally was, ‘Donald Trump is president, Oprah Winfrey is the leading contender for Democrats in 2020, why the h— not Chelsea Manning in the U.S. Senate?”

Many Twitter users reacted to the news.

Related:
Chelsea Manning Jailed for Contempt of Court

https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/952316042625232896

Manning’s conviction for sharing classified information does not keep him from running for office. Senators are only required to be 30 years old, U.S. citizens and residents of the state in which they are seeking office.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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