On Tuesday, feminists across the country were elected to office, including many historic firsts. In Missouri, Cori Bush became the first Black woman to represent the state in Congress. Bush won by a 79 to 19 percent margin in Missouri’s first congressional district. She is a nurse, pastor, community organizer, protest leader, and progressive politician – she began organizing with Black Lives Matter after the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014.
In Delaware, Sarah McBride became the first transgender state senator. McBride is also the first out LGBTQ politician in Delaware’s state legislature. She tweeted, “I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too…Delaware continues to face the Covid crisis, it’s time to get to work to invest in the policies that will make a difference for working families.”
In New Mexico, Teresa Leger Fernandez won her election to the third congressional district. Her victory ensured that all three congressional districts in New Mexico are represented by women of color.
In Georgia, Nikema Williams won an immense victory – 83.9 to 16.1 percent – and now holds the seat of the late John Lewis. Williams tweeted, “This seat does not belong to me, it belongs to the people…I’m ready to fight #OutLoudAndOnPurpose for the people of #GA5! Now let’s get in some #GoodTrouble y’all!”
In California, Sara Jacobs in San Diego is the youngest person – 31 years of age – to be elected to Congress from the state of California.
In North Carolina, two open seats were just filled by women – Deborah Ross in the second congressional district, and Kathy Manning in the sixth congressional district.
In Illinois, Marie Newman defeated the nearly 30-year incumbent to represent the third congressional district.
And, in New York, Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones won their congressional seats and will become the first gay Black members of Congress. Feminists are winning up and down the ballot this week!
Sources: CNN 11/4/20, CNN 11/4/20, Albuquerque Journal 11/3/20, CBS News 11/4/20, Essence 11/4/20, San Diego Union-Tribune 11/4/20, Business Insider 11/3/20, The Hill 11/3/20, Patch 11/3/20; New York Times 11/4/20
