Could Pamela Rocker Be America’s First QPOC President?

Pete Buttigieg isn't the only LGBTQ candidate for president this year.

Pamela Rocker, a trans woman from Ohio, also seeks the Democratic nomination in 2020. She told The Cincinatti Enquirershe knows it's a longshot bid for someone who has never held elected office. But she wants to help shape conversation.

"It's just like playing the lottery. You take your chances," Rocker told the newspaper.

Rocker, a strong Hillary Clinton supporter, said Donald Trump's election drove her to run. She called the Republican's presidency a "living nightmare" and decided in 2017 that she would run in 2020.

Rocker's official campaign website said she's taking this run seriously, and and visited 40 states in her effort.

"She wants everyone to know that, win or lose, she's here for the long haul. More importantly, you can run for office, too, and together we can make the changes this country needs," the website says.

That representation could be an important part of her candidacy regardless of the long odds at reaching the White House, she told the Enquirer.

"Was the country ready to elect the first African-American president?" Rocker said. "It just came by surprise. If a person is presenting themselves as a candidate who's very seriously running for public office, why not?"

So what's her agenda if she wins?

Rocker's website lays out a platform including reparations for African-Americans, legalization of recreational marijuana nationwide crafting nationwide LGBTQ equality policies including a restroom policy.

And she wants to give every American family a free car. That will be paid for by the $23 million boost the federal government gets when it legalizes weed, she said.

"I want them to know I will fight for the American people," Rocker said of voters. "I will fight to rebuild our reputation around the world and be more hospitable to immigration and stuff like that."