Former Miss America Mallory Hagan on Tuesday announced she is running for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The 2013 Miss America and an Opelika, Ala.-native will challenge 16-year incumbent, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers for Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District in the general election on Nov. 6, should she win the Democratic primary on June 5.
Hagan, who currently works as co-anchor of the evening newscast on WLTZ in Columbus, Ga., had set up a campaign Twitter account last week announcing she’s “exploring candidacy” for Alabama’s 3rd District seat. She also set up a campaign website and a crowdfunding site that had now amassed over $10,000 toward her $20,000 campaign goal from 202 supporters.
Hagan recently made headlines when news broke in December that she was one of the Miss America pageant winners to be targeted by the organization’s CEO and the lead writer of the pageant’s telecast in emails recently released by the Huffington Post.
“I recently found myself at the center of a national controversy surrounding the Miss America Organization,” the 29-year-old former beauty queen posted on her website. “It was a painful experience, but it taught me a lot about the power of my voice.”
“By telling my story, by petitioning for change, and by demanding resolution, I ignited a spark that fueled women–AND men– across this country to stand up, speak out, and believe that when people share their stories, positive change can occur,” she added. “I told my story. It was difficult, but it sparked meaningful change. This experience transformed me.”
“I want to represent the people of this state because I want to be a voice for Alabamians that is clear and strong. I want to be a voice that sparks positive change,” she continued.
