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…and we are here for it!

On November 7th, we saw wins all across the country for leaders who stand for inclusion and represent the rich diversity of our nation. At a space in time when our political commentary is, more often than not, dismal, Tuesday night’s election results were certainly refreshing.

Here’s a recap:

  • Danica Roem (VA) became the first openly transgender candidate to win a statehouse seat.
  • Kathy Tran (VA), a refugee from Vietnam, became the first Asian American woman elected to the House of Delegates in Virginia.
  • Elizabeth Guzman (VA) and Hala Ayala (VA) became the first Latinas elected to the House of Delegates in Virginia.
  • Justin Fairfax (VA) became the second African American elected to statewide office in Virginia.
  • Andrea Jenkins won election to the Minneapolis City Council, becoming the first openly transgender person of color elected to office in the U.S
  • Melvin Carter was elected the first African-American mayor of St. Paul.
  • In Hoboken, N.J., Ravi Bhalla was elected mayor, making him the city’s first Sikh American chief executive
  • Wilmot Collins, a refugee from Liberia, was elected mayor of Helena Mont., becoming the state’s first black mayor.
  • Seattle elected its first female mayor since 1926. Jenny Durkan will also be the city’s first lesbian mayor, winning the post vacated by Ed Murray, who resigned after several men accused him of sexually abusing them.
  • Charlotte, N.C., elected its first female African American mayor, Democrat Vi Lyles.
  • Manchester, N.H., the state’s largest city, elected its first female mayor in its 266-year history, Joyce Craig. She defeated Republican incumbent Ted Gatsas.

For more information on election night results, see NPR’s coverage.