As a conservative transgender woman, I am excited, and nervous, to watch Jenner run for governor. First, let’s be clear about what a milestone this is: A transgender woman is running for the highest political office of one of the largest, wealthiest, most populous, and most important, states in the country—a state that has never even had a female governor. That should be a cause for celebration for transgender people. Trans people are rarely represented on such a hugely important political stage, which sends a signal that our concerns and our voters are not to be neglected by mainstream politics. Further, a Republican trans candidate in particular signals that trans people aren’t just an interest group. We’re complicated, multifaceted people who can’t change our opinions even if we change our gender identities—and for a great deal of us, that means even after our transition, we remain conservative and Republican. Both Caitlyn and I transitioned late in life. I was 63 when I transitioned, and Caitlyn was 65. When you transition that late in life, most of your core beliefs and values have become ingrained. It is easy to trade in one hat for another. But it is not so easy to trade in a lifetime accumulation of beliefs and values for those you are told you should have by some members of the new community you have suddenly become a part of.