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In one of the most conservative counties in conservative Idaho, a 58-year-old transgender woman is vying to become mayor of the city of Nampa.
Melissa Sue Robinson, who transitioned 11 years ago, has a husky voice and a large build, the Idaho Statesman reports. But apparently it's not Robinson's gender identity that makes her a longshot for mayor of this southwestern Idaho town -- it's the fact that Robinson is a Democrat.
Nampa, a town of 83,000 in Canyon County, has long been run by Republicans -- and men. Robinson is a relative newcomer to Nampa, having moved from Seattle last winter for her job at a telecommunications company.
"People are going to say I haven't been here long enough, but if you get me behind the mayor's desk I'm going to run this city," Robinson told the Statesman. "Right now, it's a good ol' boys club."
Robinson faces an uphill climb; Canyon County voted overwhelmingly for John McCain in the last presidential election. Boutique owner Joseph Shafer told the Statesman, "It doesn't seem like her chances are high -- or there at all. We're one of the most conservative counties in the state. I think we're one of the most conservative in the country."
Nbroverman
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Neal Broverman
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
































































Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes