Identical twins run for US office – but in rival parties

TWINS Jessica Ann Tyson (pictured, left) and Monica Sparks, right) are identical in almost every way.

The African American sisters running for local office in the US state of Michigan forged an unbreakable bond during a childhood tarred by abuse. They wear the same white dress and even finish each other’s sentences.

But their choice of jewellery – a blue flower pin for Ms Sparks, a red one for Ms Tyson – gives away the one key thing separating the 46-year-old women: their political stripes.

Ms Sparks is a Democrat and Ms Tyson is a Republican. They say they are proof positive that political differences can be overcome, even in an increasingly polarised America.

“It just baffles our mind why people hate each other,” Ms Tyson said in a joint interview.

The sisters live in neighbouring electoral districts in the Midwestern state – part of the country’s traditionally Democratic Rust Belt that, against all odds, helped Donald Trump win office.

Each is campaigning for a seat on the governing board that oversees Kent County.

The primary election is on August 7. Ms Sparks faces several Democratic rivals, while Ms Tyson is running unopposed for the Republican nomination. The twins say they agree on broad ideas: they both want to live a life of service and to reduce political discord.