Despite the President’s grandiose claim that he won “BIG” in yesterday’s election, millions of votes are yet to be counted and the outcome cannot be predicted. And while we anxiously await the results, it’s worth acknowledging that, in many ways, we’ve already made huge wins. Your votes have begun ushering in a diverse new set of politicians.
Across the country, history is being made with newly-elected progressive legislators shaking up the political landscape. This historic “squad” of state senators, members of Congress, and state representatives signal a positive direction in law-making in the coming term, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office.
Notably, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had been re-elected to stand for New York’s 14th District in the House of Representatives. “Serving NY-14 and fighting for working-class families in Congress has been the greatest honor, privilege, & responsibility of my life,” AOC wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to the Bronx & Queens for re-electing me to the House despite the millions spent against us, & trusting me to represent you once more.”
She isn’t the only one shaking up the US House once more. Representative Ayanna Pressley, the first Black woman to represent Massachusetts, has won in the state’s 7th district. Representative Ilhan Omar — the first Black, hijab-wearing, Muslim woman elected to Congress — was comfortably victorious. And Representative Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to serve in Congress, has been re-elected as well.
These incredible women bring much-needed diversity they bring to US politics. They represent a progressive, diverse future, with policies aimed at building a more equitable and just world.
Aside from these notable returns, the 2020 presidential election is also offering history-making new faces. In Delaware, Sarah McBride made history as the first openly trans State Senator in US history. In Vermont, Taylor Small declared victory in her Statehouse race, making her the state’s first openly transgender lawmaker. And Cori Bush has become the first Black woman to represent Missouri’s first district in Congress.
The First. pic.twitter.com/h3o0GxeFLR
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) November 4, 2020
The LGBTQ Victory Fund, an organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ people get elected to office, is also tracking the number of firsts this election cycle and has projected some more historic winners. They report that in Florida, LGBTQ history has been made. Michele Rayner, who ran uncontested, is one of the first openly queer Black woman elected to the Florida legislature, while Shevrin Jones, who also ran uncontested, will become the state’s first openly LGBTQ State Senator.
I’m humbled to have earned the trust of the people of SD 35. I am looking forward to serving you in the Florida Senate. Thank YOU! #WEthePEOPLE pic.twitter.com/gCrAg13xSP
— Shevrin Jones (@ShevrinJones) November 4, 2020
Democrat Ritchie Torres is projected to win his race in New York’s 15th Congressional District, making him the first openly LGBTQ Afro-Latinx person elected to Congress. Mondaire Jones, an openly gay Black man, joined Torres in making that history when he was elected to Congress.
Native candidates are also making big waves this election, Indian Country Today reports. Representative Deb Haaland and Representative Sharice Davids, the first two Native American women to serve in Congress, have already reclaimed their seats. They join 13 Native candidates in eight states running for 11 US House seats.
These politicians are not only making history for themselves but for entire communities that have been excluded from decision-making and positions of power. And regardless of who gets elected president, these progressives are here to stay.
We Love To See It.
