The latest establishment Democrat to face a primary challenger from the left is Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, whose seat in Congress is being targeted by a transgender drag queen.
Route Fifty reported that Schiff’s challenger is a constituent who goes by the name Maebe A. Girl. Girl reportedly became the first drag queen to be elected to a local government position after winning a seat on the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council earlier in the year.
First drag queen in Congress?
Girl is attempting to become not only the first transgender individual to be elected to the House of Representatives, but the first drag queen as well, and will take on Schiff in an open primary to represent California’s 28th district in Congress in 2020.
Interestingly, while Schiff has long portrayed himself as an ally of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and “queer” individuals, his advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people isn’t enough, says Girl.
“While I appreciate [Schiff’s] allyship, I think someone that is actually a part of the queer community, that understands the day-to-day struggles, would be a better representative than an ally,” Girl said.
“I want people to know that there are more progressive people on the ballot,” Girl added.
Progressive representation
In fact, Girl said in a recent interview that it was “essential” for there to be more actual representation from LGBTQs in Congress and other offices of public representation, rather than just ideological allies that were supportive of the LGBTQ cause.
“We need more everyday people in Congress — it’s overwhelmingly older, white, wealthy men, and that’s just not representative of America, or my district,” Girl said.
To get an idea for how Girl might govern if elected to Congress, consider that the gender-fluid drag queen has identified as something of a cross between pop singer Lady Gaga and Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“I respect her courage for facing people who said she couldn’t do it,” Girl said of Ocasio-Cortez. “People will say ‘I can’t take her seriously with that name,’ but it’s really just a statement about gender norms. I don’t feel like there’s a difference between Maebe A. Girl and me.”
It remains to be seen how the campaign season and California primary play out in 2020, but Schiff — who has failed so far in his designated task of bringing down President Trump — might want to watch his left flank.
Four other challengers are competing with Girl for Schiff’s seat — another Democrat, an Independent, and two Republicans.