Newly Elected Transgender Legislator Resigns Over Past Conviction
The same woman who made history earlier this month as the first out transgender person ever elected as a state legislator will step down amid questions over her legal past.
According to Nashau Patch, New Hampshire State Representative-Elect Stacie Laughton will resign her seat after it was revealed she served more than four months in prison in 2008 for conspiracy to commit credit card fraud.
Although New Hampshire allows convicted felons to run for office and vote after fulfilling the terms of their sentence, Nashau Patch reports that questions were raised with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office as to whether she would be allowed to serve due to the open status of two convictions that were suspended pending 10 years of good behavior.
First reported by The Laconia Daily Sun last week, Laughton would have been ineligible to take office next week because of her felony conviction. Laughton would have had to wait more than six years before she could assume office.
Laughton had faced pressure to step down following the revelation.
In an interview on November 24 with Nashau Patch, Laughton said she had expected the conviction, which occurred before Laughton transitioned, to come to be revealed.
“I didn’t feel it was necessary to tell [constituents], but I felt like if it came to light – which it has – I was going to be honest. I was prepared for it to come out during the campaign,” Laughton said.
Laughton decided to resign her seat after conferring with state Democratic Party leaders and her lawyer. She is reportedly drafting a formal resignation letter to the New Hampshire Secretary of State.
[Photo: Stacie Laughton (Courtesy of YouTube).]
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