Seattle transgender activist running for a state House seat

SEATTLE -- Activist Danni Askini has announced her plan to run for the 43rd Legislative District House seat -- which covers several Seattle neighborhoods, from downtown up to Wallingford.

Askini, director of the Seattle Gender Justice League, said that if she is elected, she would be the first openly transgender person holding a seat in a state legislature in the country. But, she adds, that's not the main focus of her campaign.

"I don't think the voters will care very much that I'm a transgender woman.  I think what people want to know is what I stand for, the policies I'm looking to represent," she said.

Askini said the biggest issue she wants to tackle is affordable housing.

The current representative for the 43rd District, Brady Walkinshaw, is running for a U.S. House seat.