Wendy Ella May for U.S. House from the 2nd Congressional District of N.C
2018

Transgender woman to run against NC Congressman George Holding

By Colin Campbell May 25, 2017 / www.newsobserver.com

U.S. Rep. George Holding has his first challenger for 2018: Wendy Ella May, a military veteran and transgender woman from Johnston County.

May describes herself as a “New Deal Progressive Democrat,” and she was a delegate for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at last year’s Democratic National Convention.

May said she is the first transgender candidate to run for Congress in North Carolina.

“I will work across party lines to make sure that our citizens can earn a living wage, have affordable health care and that our public schools are strong to prepare our future generations for employment,” May said.

May said that as a disabled veteran, she’s particularly concerned about problems with federal services for veterans.

“One of the reasons I’m running is because of the way the Veterans Administration treats veterans,” she said.

May has also worked as a firefighter, minister and journalist. She’s currently president of the LGBT Democrats of Johnston County and second vice chair of the Progressive Caucus of the N.C. Democratic Party.

In the wake of House Bill 2, transgender Democrats have become a more visible presence in the party. May ran unsuccessfully for Johnston County commissioner last year, garnering about 33 percent of the vote against a Republican incumbent in the conservative county.

[After man maligned District 2 candidate, transgender woman told him – I’m the candidate]

May isn’t the only transgender candidate running in 2018. Angela Bridgman of Wendell, who spoke out frequently against HB2, has filed paperwork for a campaign in the N.C. House district currently represented by Republican Rep. Chris Malone of Wake Forest.

Earlier this week, Holding’s 2nd District was added to a list of targets by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is recruiting candidates across the country for potential swing districts in 2018 as the party seeks to gain a majority in Congress.

In U.S. House District 2, the INDY Endorses Wendy Ella May

April 18, 2018 | By INDY staff / www.indyweek.com

Democrats have their sights set on George Holding's seat, which is exactly the kind of district they'll need to win to retake Congress. It won't be easy—in 2016, Holding won nearly 57 percent of the vote—but three Dems have lined up to challenge the incumbent: Linda Coleman, a former Wake County commissioner and state legislator; Wendy Ella May, an army veteran; and Ken Romley, a businessman from Raleigh. Meanwhile, Holding has his own primary challenger from the right, Allen Chessler, an Iraq war veteran who says Holding "is not representing the people anymore."

(We declined to endorse Chessler because of his extremist anti-abortion and pro-gun views; we declined to endorse Holding because he's a Donald Trump lackey as well as an anti-refugee bigot and anti-abortion zealot. They can both piss off.)

Of the Democrats, Coleman, who ran for lieutenant governor in 2016 but lost to Dan Forest, is the best known. But our endorsement goes to Wendy Ella May, the first transgender woman to run for Congress in North Carolina.

May's status in the HB 2 state is exciting, but she's not playing up her gender identity. She's focusing instead on her policy priorities, which include universal health care, a livable wage, job creation, gun control, protections for LGBTQ citizens, and strengthening Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. May's resume suits her for public office, too: army veteran, career firefighter, faith leader, president of the LGBT Democrats of Johnston County, and second vice chairwoman of the Progressive Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

We acknowledge she's a long shot. She lacks the fundraising prowess of her fellow Democrats. But we think her candidacy is groundbreaking, historic, and worthy of recognition. We're excited to support her.

Transgender Political Candidates Monica DePaul and Wendy Ella May Explain Their Positions on Universal Health Care

By INDY staff 2018 / www.indyweek.com

Name as it appears on the ballot: Wendy Ella May
Campaign website: www.wendymayforcongress.com
Phone number: 919-413-0886
Email: [email protected]
Years lived in the district: I have lived in the area for most of the past 20 years.

1. In your view, what are the three most pressing issues facing the United States? If elected, what will you do to address these issues, given the gridlock that seems to define Congress these days?

Equality is needed for all other things to work for the betterment of the USA. Educational opportunity is the great equalizer in our country. Economy: we must build a stronger base and bring jobs back to our district.

2. If you are challenging an incumbent, what decisions has the incumbent made that you most disagree with? If you are an incumbent, what in your voting record and experience do you believe entitles you to another term?

George Holding’s lack of voting for issues that relate to the people of his district.

3. The economy has picked up steam in the last year. Unemployment is down, and the stock market and economic expectations are up. How much of this improvement do you attribute to the policies of President Trump? What potential problem areas does the U.S. economy face in coming years?

#45 has done little to improve life in the second congressional district. The bad trade agreements have sent jobs out of the 2nd CD of NC and we must return them.

4. On the other hand, much of the wealth has gone to the already wealthy. Income inequality is as high in the U.S. as it’s been since the Great Depression. If elected, what steps (if any) do you believe Congress can or should take to ameliorate the gap between rich and poor?

We must get jobs in our district, we must have better schools and as a member of Congress I have a plan to do that as well as a contract with voters called (CFAR2018) Contract For American Renewal

5. On a similar note, in December Republicans passed a big tax cut package that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, will benefit the wealthy more than the middle and working classes, especially if and when some of the income tax cuts are phased out. The tax cuts will also add more than $1 trillion to the deficit, according to the CBO’s analysis. Do you believe this tax cut package was good policy? If so, why? If not, would you work to repeal or alter it?

No this was not a good tax cut and I would work to repeal and replace with a fair and equal tax law.

6. Congressional Republicans came within a vote last year of repealing the Affordable Care Act. As part of the tax cut package, Obamacare’s individual mandate, a key element of the ACA, was eliminated. What steps do you believe Congress should take on health care? In what ways (if any) should Congress act to stabilize health insurance markets?

The American people's access to healthcare isn't something that should be decided by the government, it should be guaranteed by the government. In a time of rising premiums and uncertainty, access to quality medical care and needed preventative care isn't something we will negotiate on. We will defend and seek to perfect the healthcare Americans have rightfully come to rely on. Our seniors and our poor, our veterans and our sick, have asked for better, we expect better, and it's our obligation to make sure we get it.

7. Since the Las Vegas mass shooting last year and the Parkland mass shooting in February, there’s been a renewed discussion about gun reforms. One idea that has majority support in most opinion polls is to reinstate the ban on assault-style weapons. Would you support such a ban? Why or why not?

Yes, commonsense gun laws. Right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. Reauthorize assault weapons ban, close gun show loophole. Strengthen gun control to reduce violence.

8. The Parkland shooting in particular has led to a debate over school safety. Both in North Carolina and in Washington, D.C., some politicians have suggested arming teachers or school staff members as one possible solution. What steps do you believe the government could take to make schools safer?

We must look at schools not as jails and must not arm our teachers or staff but redesign our schools to be safe by adding safety programs like other countries have done.

9. There are a number of crises brewing in the world right now: North Korea, Iran, and Russia come to mind. Given the apparent tumult of the Trump administration, do you have confidence in the president to handle these issues? As a member of Congress, what steps would you take to hold the administration accountable?

First #45 is not able to lead and should be removed as president and as a member of Congress I would start the formal steps to impeach him.

10. There has been considerable talk in recent years about reforming the criminal justice system and moving away from mandatory minimums and policies that are seen as disproportionately affecting minority communities. At the same time, however, the attorney general seems to be headed in the opposite direction, taking a harder line on marijuana, for instance; and now the president is talking about executing opioid dealers. What reforms would you like to see made to the criminal justice system to make it fairer?

I would follow what the DA of Philadelphia PA has done and sponsor a law which would allow city, counties and states the right to follow the leadership of Philadelphia.

11. Russia, and the special counsel’s investigation into the Russian meddling in the 2016 election and the termination of former FBI director James Comey, has consumed much of the last year. Some Republicans have called for the probe to end; Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee concluded that there was no collusion with the Trump campaign and disbanded their inquiry. What do you believe the role of Congress should be in this investigation? Do you have faith in the special counsel’s investigation?

I have faith in the special counsel and would work to impeach #45

12. The president recently enacted tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. Some liberals and conservatives argue that these tariffs will boost manufacturing in the U.S. and protect American workers, while many economists say that while they will boost certain sectors of the economy, they will also raise prices on things like cars and construction and even beer and increase the chance of a trade war. Do you support the president’s tariffs? Why or why not?

Even though I am a Union Member and support workers in America I cannot support any tariffs which hurt many to benefit the few. We must stop bad trade agreements and trade wars which cost the poor and working poor more money.

13. The fate of the so-called Dreamers is still up in the air. The president has tied their protection to funding for a border wall and legal immigration limits that Democrats do not seem willing to accept, while some Republicans are pushing back against what they see as “amnesty.” What do you believe should be done about the Dreamers—and about American immigration policy generally?

We need a safe way to citizenship and we must start now.

14. What do you believe is driving the polarization of and rancor in American politics? Is there anything you believe Congress can do about it? In what areas do you believe you could reach a compromise with members of the opposite political party?

The system of money in elections has driven the two parties to almost act as one. The new party of the rich owned by PAC’S and special interest groups. The compromise is to take money out of elections and call for term limits of a reasonable time like 3 terms for US Sen and 9 terms for US House.

15. Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected that you suspect might cost you some points with voters.

Equal Rights for All. This is a hot-button issue with many people as they see some as second-class citizens or terrorists based on where they are from and their religious beliefs.

Transgender Political Candidates Monica DePaul and Wendy Ella May Explain Their Positions on Universal Health Care

Danielle Bernstein / May 7, 2018

Mo job I have worked has ever provided health care,” congressional candidate Monica DePaul tells Teen Vogue, noting that most of the positions she has held — adjunct professor, for one — have required a master’s degree.

DePaul, who is  transgender, is running to represent Florida’s 4th congressional district in 2020....(more)

Health care is also a top issue for Wendy Ella May, another transgender woman running for office; she is a candidate in the May 8 Democratic primary for North Carolina’s sprawling 2nd district. While DePaul is a supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders’s (I-VT) Medicare-for-all plan, May says she would be open to other iterations of universal health care, citing the Canadian system as a model.

As a disabled military veteran, May receives health coverage from the Veterans Administration. She first began to evolve her position on health care nearly 20 years ago, when her mother was diagnosed with cancer and was spending out of pocket on care.

“My mom had Medicare and Medicaid, and it still didn’t cover her hospital bills,” May tells Teen Vogue. “My mom had to spend probably close to $50,000 of her life’s savings.” Later medical crises — including emergency care for her now ex-wife during a pregnancy — affirmed May’s view of the need for an expansive national health care system.

Both DePaul and May say their stances have resonated with voters in their districts despite the fact that they’re both running in Republican strongholds.

“We don’t offer wellness to poor people; we offer sick care,” May says, referring to emergency room care residents may seek given the unavailability of regular care. Speaking as she drove along Interstate 95 from dinner at one chain restaurant past another, May pointed to these establishments as indicative of the work options available to those in her district.

“These people are working for $2.13 [an hour] as waitstaff, with absolutely next to no benefits — if they get any, it’s a miracle,” May says, referring to North Carolina’s minimum wage for tipped positions.

...(more)

To May and DePaul, health care is an issue grounded in income inequality, a theme of their respective campaigns.

“Your income directly affects the availability of services. If you live in poor, rural areas, you might have to drive an hour to find an endocrinologist,” May says, pointing specifically to that specialty because diabetes, a disease endocrinologists help treat, is common in rural areas and because many trans men and women rely on endocrinologists for hormone treatments. “How many of my neighbors who are not transgender are diabetic and they can’t afford their diabetic care? They have to drive 35, 40 minutes to go to an endocrinologist.”

The barriers to quality health care for trans people are distinct — especially in the form of outright discrimination or a lack of medical professionals trained in providing health care to transgender people, Durso says. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t commonalities between various groups in need of consistent medical care.

“The health care system is hard for everyone,” Durso says, noting that people in the South similarly fall into the coverage gap, and that quality care often eludes people of color. “We’re not meeting the needs of so many communities; we’re failing people left and right.”

“Maybe if you’re rich and you can afford all the best doctors, you don’t even need health care coverage — you can just blow whatever money on anything, get whatever elective procedures that are not medically necessary that you want,” DePaul says. “For everybody else, it’s virtually inaccessible.”

“Frankly, health care is a human right,” she says. “[It’s] not a privilege given to the rich.”