History Made on Election Day
One year after an upsetting loss in the 2016 presidential election, Democrats are celebrating. On Nov. 7, America made it through another Election Day, yet this year, the results were drastically different, and those who fall toward the left-end of the political spectrum are particularly happy with the outcome.
In Virginia, where just three months prior a White Nationalist rally occurred in Charlottesville, Democrats and minorities swept the races. One of the most stunning victories was that of Danica Roem, the transgender candidate who was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates after defeating Bob Marshall, the man who first issued Virginia’s bathroom trans ban. Her victory marks the country’s first openly transgender state lawmaker. In fact, the trans community is now being represented in more states than Virginia. In California, Lisa Middleton made history as the first openly trans candidate elected to a nonjudicial office and in Pennsylvania, Tyler Titus, a candidate for Erie School Board, became the first trans person elected in the state.
“Tyler’s victory will resonate well-beyond state boundaries. Trans people remain severely underrepresented in our politics and government, and now more than ever we need trans voices like Tyler’s in the halls of power,” Victory Fund President and CEO, Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, said in a recent statement. “This is a historic night for trans candidates across the country and Tyler is determined to be part of the conversation on issues that affect their lives.”
In correspondence, Melvin Carter of Minnesota and Wilmot Collins of Montana each became the first African American mayor elected in their state’s history.
“After last night’s historic firsts for many leaders across the country, Wilmot is confident that the future of this country favors a union of people from all different walks of life,” a campaign spokesperson said in a statement when asked about Collins’ win.
Yet, some people aren’t happy about these progressive wins. In fact, just days before Ravi Bhalla became the first Sikh mayor in New Jersey, someone distributed anonymous fliers around Hoboken that said “Don’t let TERRORISM take over our town.” After this, not only did members of the Sikh community defend Bhalla, but also other people of all backgrounds.
“When I see him up there, I see someone that has committed himself to those values. It makes us more proud when we see that,” Gurwin Ahuja, executive director of the National Sikh Campaign, said. “The turban actually represents the ethos of American values.”
Nevertheless, all of these elected people, as well as many more, have accomplished an amazing feat this past Election Day and their achievements will likely be remembered for years to come.
