Kaitlyn Beck, who wanted to make history as the youngest and first openly transgender legislator in the Washington State Legislature, is suspending her campaign.
Beck’s grandmother has suffered a heart attack, and Beck is returning to Colorado to be with her family. She is endorsing her Democratic opponent Rep. Sharon Wylie, of Vancouver, for the seat.
“Family comes first,” Beck said of her decision.
The 20-year-old was inspired to run by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Beck said she’s not ruling out a future in politics, but she says she would have to wait for the right time when progressive candidates had a shot at winning.
Beck criticized Wylie for her support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, but said she’s supporting her now in the hopes she will embrace a more progressive agenda.
“My strongest hope is (Wylie) will push for a rent cap. It’s a short-term solution while we hunt for a longtime solution to the housing crisis,” said Beck, who isn’t sure when she’ll be returning to Southwest Washington.
Beck grew up in the small town of Paonia, Colo., and moved to the Pacific Northwest the day she graduated from high school. Beck worked for a medical staffing network. She said her first priority as a lawmaker would have been pushing for rent caps, increasing the minimum wage to $15 by 2020, and championing paid maternity and paternity leave and paid sick leave.
Beck said she would have also focused her energies on banning conversion therapies for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.
Wylie, the incumbent, said she wishes Beck well on her journey.
“It sounds like a bad situation, and I wish her the best,” Wylie said.
Beck’s name will still appear on the November ballot.
