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  "path": "/politics/national/bree-fram-congressional-endorsements-virginia",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-09T16:25:45.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.advocate.com",
  "tags": [
    "2026 elections",
    "Air force",
    "Bree fram",
    "Congress",
    "Election",
    "Frank kendall",
    "Military",
    "Military veterans",
    "Space force",
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    "Veterans affairs",
    "Virginia",
    "_Bree Fram_",
    "_Virginia_",
    "_**LGBTQ**_",
    "_**Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.**_",
    "_announced Sunday_",
    "_political_",
    "_Donald Trump’s_",
    "See on Instagram",
    "_one month later_",
    "_stands up to this administration_",
    "Ousted under Trump's trans military ban, retired Space Force Col. Bree Fram launches bid for Congress",
    "Retired Space Force colonel warns Trump’s Iran strikes are ‘reckless adventurism and distraction’",
    "_military_",
    "_recently proposed_",
    "_Air Force budget_",
    "_prepare for major conflicts_",
    "Space Force colonel running for Congress slams Trump for making SOTU Medal of Honor awards ‘about himself’",
    "This transgender Space Force veteran’s service didn’t end when Trump’s military pushed her out",
    "_Trans Bill of Rights_",
    "_Equal Rights Amendment_",
    "Meet the transgender Space Force rocket scientist who’s unimpressed by Libs of TikTok’s attacks",
    "_special election_",
    "_died in office_",
    "___Morrison Media Group___"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nU.S. Space Force veteran _Bree Fram_ has earned two key endorsements in the race to represent northern _Virginia_ in Congress.\n\n**Keep up with the latest in** _**LGBTQ**_**+ news and politics.**_**Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.**_\n\nFram _announced Sunday_ that Frank Kendall, former secretary of the U.S. Air Force under President Joe Biden, endorsed her congressional run. On Monday, she announced an endorsement from Advocates for Trans Equality, a nonprofit that advocates for pro-trans policies and _political_ candidates. Fram said these shows of support reflect her campaign’s resonance with the public.\n\n“It is exciting that endorsements are starting to come in,” Fram told __The Advocate__. “This is just the beginning of a campaign to make sure that every American has the opportunity not just to be their best self, but also to pick the candidate that can best represent them.”\n\nFram, who is trans, served in the military for 23 years, reaching the rank of colonel in the U.S. Space Force. But in December, she was ousted by President _Donald Trump’s_ ban on transgender service members.\n\n> See on Instagram\n\nJust _one month later_, Fram launched her campaign for Congress, describing herself as a “lightning rod” and someone who “ _stands up to this administration_.” In August, she will face off in the Democratic primary for Virginia’s 11th district, which encompasses the Fairfax area.\n\n**Related** : Ousted under Trump's trans military ban, retired Space Force Col. Bree Fram launches bid for Congress\n\n**Related** : Retired Space Force colonel warns Trump’s Iran strikes are ‘reckless adventurism and distraction’\n\n“Believing in America and, as individuals, that we can be better tomorrow than we are today is a message that I believe people can get behind,” she said.\n\nThe two endorsements make sense for Fram’s campaign, she said, because her policy agenda aligns with both veteran and LGBTQ+ rights. Fram supports a less “reckless” approach to foreign policy, with more planning and consideration going into _military_ decision-making, she said.\n\nDomestically, Fram said she opposes restrictions to veteran health benefits _recently proposed_ by the Trump administration, plus ensuring that LGBTQ+ veterans who have been ousted for their identities receive honorable discharges and related veterans’ benefits.\n\nKendall’s endorsement “was something that is really meaningful for me, as someone with 23 years of service,” Fram said. “We need to be doing things that make sure our commitment to our veterans is rock solid.” Under Biden, Kendall directed a $173 billion _Air Force budget_, oversaw nearly 700,000 active service members and sought to restructure the military branch to _prepare for major conflicts_.\n\n**Related** : Space Force colonel running for Congress slams Trump for making SOTU Medal of Honor awards ‘about himself’\n\n**Related** : This transgender Space Force veteran’s service didn’t end when Trump’s military pushed her out\n\nAs for LGBTQ+ rights, Fram said she wants to ensure resources outlined by Washington U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s _Trans Bill of Rights_ reach trans people, but also Americans more broadly. That includes access to health care, shelter, safety, and financial stability.\n\nFram added that she supports the _Equal Rights Amendment_, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would codify protections against sex discrimination.\n\n“That is a fundamental piece of [legislation] that says everyone is equal. Everyone has the opportunity to be their best self,” she said.\n\n**Related** : Meet the transgender Space Force rocket scientist who’s unimpressed by Libs of TikTok’s attacks\n\nFram said she hopes the two endorsements are just a sign of what is to come for her campaign. In the Democratic primary, she faces incumbent U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw, who won a _special election_ for the district after his predecessor, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, _died in office_.\n\nIf Fram wins the primary, she will proceed to the November 3 general election. “I will be out there fighting for every Virginian,” she said.\n\n__This article was written as part of the Future of Queer Media fellowship program at The Advocate, which is underwritten by a generous gift from__ ___Morrison Media Group___ __. The program helps support the next generation of LGBTQ+ journalists.__",
  "title": "Former Air Force secretary endorses decorated trans retired colonel running for Congress in Virginia"
}