Lindsey Graham embraces Caitlyn Jenner, says transgenders are welcome in his GOP

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday reached out to Caitlyn Jenner in an appeal to transgender voters.

“If Caitlyn Jenner wants to be safe and have a prosperous economy, vote for me,” Mr. Graham said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about sex change by Olympics hero Bruce Jenner.

Mr. Graham, who is pursuing a long-shot White House with a campaign focused on strong foreign policy stances, said he wanted to grow the Republican Party and therefore welcomed transgender Americans into the fold.

“I have not walked in her shoes,” he said. “I don’t have all the answers to the mysteries of life. I can only imagine the torment that Bruce Jenner went through.”

The South Carolina Republican said that he hoped Mr. Jenner had “found peace.”

He also said that his acceptance of Mr. Jenner’s choices does not conflict with his own conservative religious views.

“I’m a pro-life, traditional marriage kind of guy, but I’m running to be president of the United States. If Caitlyn Jenner wants to be a Republican, she is welcome in my party,” said Mr. Graham. “Understanding what you are getting with Lindsey Graham: I am pro-life. I believe in traditional marriage without animosity.”