Voters in Virginia elected the state’s first openly transgender candidate to the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday.
When Democratic candidate, Danica Roeam takes office, she will be the first openly transgender candidate to be elected and serve in a state legislative body.
Althea Garrison, elected in Massachusetts in 1992, was the first openly transgender person to serve in a state legislature, but did not campaign as an openly transgender person during her race.
Roem beat incumbent delegate, Bob Marshall. According to Mashall’s website, he has been elected thirteen times over 26 years.
Roem had 54.59% of the votes to Marshall’s 45.36%, with 19 of 20 precincts reporting, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
“Tonight, voters chose a smart, solutions-oriented trans leader over a divisive anti-LGBTQ demagogue — sending a powerful message to anti-trans legislators all across the nation,” said Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, president, and CEO of Victory Fund.
Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards tweeted: “Couldn’t be more thrilled for Danica Roem. And good riddance to Bob Marshall, one of the most anti-choice, and anti-LGBTQ members of the VA House.”
“The message that I can succeed because of my gender, not despite it, because of who I am without being afraid of who I am is a human message,” Roem said in the September interview with Cosmopolitan.
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