Former Army private Chelsea Manning has filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate in Maryland.
Manning would be the first transgender senator in United States history. She's running as a Democrat against incumbent Senator Ben Cardin (also a Democrat).
Back when she was known as Bradley Manning, the Army private was convicted in 2013 of 20 counts, including six Espionage Act violations, theft and computer fraud for giving classified government materials to WikiLeaks. She served 7 years of a 35-year sentence before President Obama commuted the sentence to time served before he left office.
Since her release, Manning has aligned herself with progressive causes. Her felony convictions do not bar Manning from running for office.
What do you think? Does Manning have a shot against Cardin? Or will her criminal convictions turn off the voters in Maryland? Sound off!
![](http://images02.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_large/public/2024-11/1time%20the%20last%20rifleman%20pierce%20brosnan%201200.jpg?itok=7S1DkeaC "Pierce Brosnan in "The Last Rifleman." (Sky Cinema)")
