Chelsea Manning Challenges Maryland Democrat in Senate Primary

FEATURING KEVIN GOSZTOLA – In a surprising move, the famed whistle-blower Chelsea Manning announced her primary election challenge to Democratic Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland. The move comes less than a year after Manning was released from military prison after being pardoned by President Barack Obama as one of his last acts in office.

Manning was imprisoned for nearly 7 years after being convicted of crimes related to the release of internal documents about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to Wikileaks. The conditions of her incarceration were tantamount to torture according to experts. It was while she was in prison that she announced her transition from Bradley Manning to Chelsea Manning.

Now, establishment Democrats and their supporters are worried about her Senate challenge and are already attacking her. In this bold campaign ad that she just released, Manning pulls no punches about what her entry into politics means.

Kevin Gosztola, managing editor of Shadowproof.com. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, Unauthorized Disclosure. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @kgosztola.