It’s official — Averie Bishop (D), the first Asian American to win Miss Texas, has just announced her run for Texas House District 112. The former Miss Texas is an attorney and entrepreneur and will challenge Rep. Angie Chen Button (R) for the seat.

While pageant winners are typically apolitical in public, Averie has been outspoken about her views on race, abortion, immigration, voting, LGBTQ rights, and DEI programs. In an opinion piece for MSNBC, Averie stated, “If our politicians continue to shut out, ignore and oppress marginalized and minority Texans, the state will never become the socio-economic and political powerhouse it wants to become.”

Averie’s “Y’all Means All” platform as Miss Texas championed diversity and inclusion.

“So many of the leaders of my state are living in denial. Rather than celebrating this diversity and the ways it makes us stronger, they are trying to smother it,” Averie said.

Watch Averie’s campaign video below. You can learn more and support her campaign, here.