It’s been a harrowing year since Donald Trump was elected U.S. President. Since then, the hope which Barack Obama was so adamant — and effective — in instilling in his constituents has been gradually diminishing — until Tuesday night when a number of states held historical mayoral, gubernatorial and state legislative elections.
Seven cities elected their first Black mayor, including a Liberian refugee, a Black, openly transgender woman was elected to public office for the first time in the nation’s history and New Jersey elected its first Black lieutenant governor and its first Sikh mayor among other milestone victories.
According to FiveThirtyEight, Tuesday’s election results are possible indicators of the outcomes for 2018 congressional races. Below are some of the precedent-setting politicians ensuring minorities get a seat at the table.
Andrea Jenkins
Andrea Jenkins is now the first openly trans woman of color elected to the city council of a major U.S. city. Congratulations @annapoetic! Congratulations Minneapolis! #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/8zCmcgZblR
— Women's March (@womensmarch) November 8, 2017
Jonathan McCollar
Breaking: Jonathan McCollar officially wins Statesboro Mayoral race. McCollar becomes first African-American mayor in Statesboro history. https://t.co/hrNyruQqxB pic.twitter.com/Phdjkwno59
— The George-Anne (@TheGeorgeAnne) November 8, 2017
Ravinder S. Bhalla
Thank you Hoboken. I look forward to being your Mayor! #TeamBhalla #FinishedStrong pic.twitter.com/UKPuXkDWGX
— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) November 8, 2017
Mazahir Salih
Congratulations to Sudanese-American Mazahir Salih on winning a seat on the Iowa City Council! Mazahir is the first Muslim woman and immigrant to serve on the council. pic.twitter.com/zIdPCLYHNp
— Women's March (@womensmarch) November 8, 2017
Yvonne Spicer
Congratulations to @EmergeMass alum @spicerformayor on her historic win tonight to be the first Framingham Mayor! We're so excited to see the difference you make leading your community. #EmergeNow pic.twitter.com/UByHXLytOS
— Emerge (@EmergeAmerica) November 8, 2017
Melvin Carter
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/928121729817432064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarysue.com%2Felections-history-women-of-color-lgbtq-2017%2F
Ryan Songalia
NJ Lieutenant Governor elect Sheila Oliver says she hopes a little girl of color is watching and sees she can reach the heights #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/c8HknKlBkC
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) November 8, 2017
Danica Roem
Danica Roem's win in Virginia last night is a victory for all transgender Americans. https://t.co/9ggC9kWKa7 pic.twitter.com/f0nD0oGc61
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 8, 2017
Lawana Mayfield
Congrats to our heroine @lawanamayfield on the Charlotte City Council – who just won her reelection bid! #ElectLGBTQ pic.twitter.com/z7mC0IgB23
— LGBTQ Victory Fund (@VictoryFund) November 8, 2017
Wilmot Collins
In Helena, Montana, voters elected Wilmot Collins, a former refugee from Liberia to become the state's first-ever Black mayor. pic.twitter.com/7fHrOY6VlP
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 8, 2017
Kathy Tran
Kathy Tran came to the U.S. as a refugee from Vietnam when she was an infant. Tonight, she became the first Asian American woman elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Congrats @kathykltran! pic.twitter.com/NSynRwHJ7d
— Women's March (@womensmarch) November 8, 2017
Cathy Murillo
Huge congratulations to a former Santa Barbara reporter colleague who from today will be known by a different name: Mayor Cathy Murillo! @CathyMurillo https://t.co/8P2RH97erm pic.twitter.com/SSqGzHndoa
— Barney McManigal (@BarneyMcManigal) November 8, 2017