The 2020 election was one of “firsts”, in which BIPOC and LGBTQ+ politicians won seats that have never been won before. While it’s mildly disheartening that in the 2020 election we still have firsts of this kind, it is a sign of incredible progress. It’s also an indication that the United States government is growing to more closely resemble the people it represents.
On Saturday morning, all the major news outlets projected that Kamala Harris will make history as the first female Vice President in the nation’s history. She has shattered a huge glass ceiling to become the highest-ranking woman in the White House and the second in command of the United States of America. She is also the first Asian American and Black woman to hold the position, making her win historic on three counts.
Missouri also elected Cori Bush to be their first-ever Black congresswoman. She will be the Democratic Representative for Missouri’s 1st congressional district. Bush won this election handily, with more than 78% of the vote.
Madinah Wilson-Anton won her race to become Delaware’s first Muslim state legislator. She will be a Democratic representative for District 26 in the Delaware House of Representatives, at only 27 years old. In Wisconsin, Samba Baldeh will be the first Muslim elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He will represent District 48.
In Colorado, Iman Jodeh will join the state House of Representatives as the first Muslim lawmaker elected to the state’s legislature. Christopher Benjamin will also become the first Muslim elected to any statewide office in Florida. He will represent the 107th District in the Florida House of Representatives.
A Historic Year For LGBTQ+ Lawmakers
Bronx Democrat Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones of Westchester make history as the first openly gay Black men elected to Congress. Both men are from New York, representing different districts. Both men are also young Democrats who won their elections by wide margins.
Sarah McBride made history this election cycle by becoming the first openly transgender person elected to the Delaware State Senate. Her election will make her the highest-ranking transgender person in the US government.
New York, Georgia, and Florida each elected Jabari Brisport, Kim Jackson, and Michele Rayner Goolsby respectively to be the first openly LGBTQ+ people of color elected to their State Senates. Stephanie Byers is also set to become the first transgender lawmaker in the state of Kansas. Vermont also elected Taylor small as the state’s first transgender legislator.
Mauree Turner, who won the race for state House of Representatives in Oklahoma, will be the first Muslim lawmaker ever elected to the state’s legislature. They are also the first non-binary legislator elected in US history.
