Transgender Repub runs against Roy Blunt

Potts, the state's first openly transgender candidate, is one of the Republican challengers to incumbent Roy Blunt in Missouri's 7th Congressional District race.

"Part of my reason for running is, not so much to make transgender or gay issues the centerpiece of my campaign, but to show that we are all Americans and that anybody can run for any office," Potts said. "America was built out of diversity, and people need to stop being afraid and feel like we have to limit ourselves based on our gender or color or gender preference."

Although Potts considers herself an independent, she says she is running as a Republican because she believes in the party's traditional platform of financial conservatism, states' rights and a strong national defense. She is pushing for term limits, debt reduction and building up the National Guard.

She also wants an end to U.S. involvement in Iraq. Potts was arrested twice last year at war protests, one on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court and the other in front of the White House with anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan.