1st transgender Republican runs for state Assembly

Trenton resident Jennifer Williams is running as a Republican against Democratic incumbents. Williams is transgender and if elected, would be the first transgender Republican legislator in the United States.

News 12 Staff

May 26, 2019, 9:17 PM

Updated 1,797 days ago

Share:

An Assembly race in Central Jersey could make history.
Trenton resident Jennifer Williams is running as a Republican against Democratic incumbents. Williams is transgender and if elected, would be the first transgender Republican legislator in the United States.
"Everyone wants to hear some leadership, they want to hear a plan and they really want to know that you're going to fight for them," says Williams.
Williams is running against incumbent Democrats Anthony Verelli and Verlina Reynolds Jackson for a seat in the state Assembly.

If Williams is elected, she wouldn't just be the first Republican elected to the Assembly from the district since 1991. She would also be the first transgender Republican representative in the country.
"It's part of who I am, but I'm running to basically help save New Jersey," Williams says. "My being transgender, my being LGBTQ, yeah it's an important part of me, it's how important liberties and freedoms are, particularly in this country."
Williams is the chair of the Trenton Republican club and worked for Bob Hugin's Senate campaign last year. But she realizes an unpopular Republican president who has instituted a transgender ban is going to cause some questions on the campaign trail. She stresses she is not on the ballot with President Trump.
"This is a state race I'm running and I really want to focus on the race," says Williams. "But my experience from New Jersey Republicans, Republicans I have met at the RNC -- I was a delegate at the RNC -- have been outstanding."
Williams is also trying to bring out Republican voters for the primary election on Tuesday, June 4. She is running unopposed in the race to receive her party's official nomination.


More from News 12
1:57
Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

1:45
Scattered rain overnight in the Hudson Valley; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

Scattered rain overnight in the Hudson Valley; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

0:43
Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

0:31
Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:23
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

0:20
City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

0:41
Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

0:22
Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

0:35
Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:52
Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

0:32
Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

0:52
'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

0:34
Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

1:57
White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help