Bethesda, MD- Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning has filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run as a Democrat for the United States Senate; Maryland District 5. This seat is currently occupied by Democrat US Senator Ben Cardin; whom has held the seat for two terms since 2007.
Manning was a former US Army Intelligence Analyst that was convicted in 2013 for leaking classified documents to Wikileaks. Manning was sentenced to 35 years and spent 6 years behind bars before former President Barack Obama granted her clemency in January 2017.
Manning came out as being transgender after her sentencing.
In Manning’s filing with the FEC, she lists her home as North Bethesda and that she will be challenging at least four other democrats registered at this time. Even with a criminal record, Manning can still run for office. The Constitution only lists the qualifications for US Senate as 30 years, be a US citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state you are running in at the time of the election. No where on the Maryland election or Federal election website does it state a criminal record disqualifies anyone from running.
Chelsea Manning Statement of Candidacy:
