Sharice Davids. | @sharicedavids / Twitter
Sharice Davids just became the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress from the Third Congressional District of Kansas.
The Native American and openly lesbian candidate won the nomination on Tuesday (7 August) with 37% of the vote.
She announced the news on Twitter yesterday (8 August) and thanked the five other Democratic Party nominees.
Davids then tweeted: ‘I look forward to working w/ them & all of you to change the face of KS politics.’
If she defeats Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in the 2018 midterm elections in November, she’ll become the first (of potentially two) Native American women ever elected to Congress.
She’ll also be the second ever openly lesbian member of Congress – Tammy Baldwin is the first in 2012.
Sharice Davids fights for women, LGBTI people and Native Americans
Davids said in a statement after her win: ‘I am honored and deeply motivated by the support I received from across this district.
‘Thank you to my fellow Democrats in this race for their passion and for engaging in a spirited and important debate about the future of this district and this country.
‘To my supporters: you knocked on doors, made phone calls, donated what you could, and got your friends, neighbors, and family members to the polls.
‘I am eternally grateful for your confidence in me and will work to earn your trust,’ she also said.
Sharice Davids, an openly gay Democrat won the House primary and could be the first Native American woman elected to Congress. Woman, Lesbian, Democrat, Native American. She is this administration’s biggest nightmare. Go, girl, go. @sharicedavids
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) August 8, 2018
Sharice Davids is an attorney and former Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter.
But the elections in November will be her toughest fight yet. Yoder – the four-term Republican incumbent – received 68% of the GOP primary vote.
Davids promised to fight for women, queer people, and the Native American community.
She described Yoder as ‘an extremist who has tried time and time again to undermine health care access’. She also claims he wants to give tax breaks for the largest corporations.
Davids then continued: ‘He is a pawn for Donald Trump and I will not allow him to continue to take us in the wrong direction while working families in our communities suffer.’
