Dana Beyer to launch Maryland delegate bid

Eye-surgeon-turned-political activist Dana Beyer will officially launch her campaign Saturday to become the first transgender person elected to the Maryland Legislature.

Beyer, a Democrat, is challenging Democratic incumbent Alfred Carr for the District 18 seat in the Maryland House of Delegates in Maryland’s Sept. 14 Democratic primary. The district is located in Montgomery County and includes Silver Spring, Wheaton, Kensington and Chevy Chase, among other jurisdictions.

“While this will be my official kickoff, I have been working daily on this campaign for the past many months, having personally knocked on 3,300 doors,” Beyer said in a statement. “It has been a wonderful experience meeting my neighbors, walking their neighborhoods and getting to know the reality of their lives where they live.”

Since retiring from clinical practice as an eye doctor and surgeon in 1990, Beyer became involved in medical research while also becoming involved in civic affairs and politics in Maryland. She works as senior assistant to Montgomery County Council member Duchy Trachtenberg. Beyer also serves on the boards of Equality Maryland, a statewide LGBT advocacy group, and the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Her campaign kickoff event is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wheaton Claridge Park, 11901 Claridge Rd., Silver Spring.