On Tuesday, Virginia voters elected Danica Roem, a Democrat, the first “openly transgender” state senator in the commonwealth.
According to NBC News, Roem defeated “her” Republican opponent, Bill Woolf, by more than three percentage points.
“I’m grateful the people of Virginia’s 30th Senate district elected me to continue representing my lifelong home of western Prince William County and greater Manassas,” Roem said in a statement shared to X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The voters have shown they want a leader who will prioritize fixing roads, feeding kids and protecting our land instead of stigmatizing trans kids or taking away your civil rights,” he added.
To the people of western Prince William County, the City of Manassas Park and the City of Manassas: I’m so grateful to continue serving my lifelong home community, now in the state Senate.
— Del. Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) November 8, 2023
Thank you so, so much. It’s time to get back to work! pic.twitter.com/EYVYvvTExo
Reportedly, Roem, 39, used to work as a journalist. Roem was elected six years ago to serve in Virginia’s General Assembly.
Virginia has elected its first Transgender State Representative.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) November 8, 2023
Danica Roem, 39, defeated former Fairfax County police detective Bill Woolf, a conservative Republican endorsed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who vowed to bar transgender athletes from competing on school… pic.twitter.com/VKJJA6qCsc
Roem is not the first transgender person in the United States to become a state senator. In 2020, Delaware voters elected Sarah McBride, who believes he is a “trans woman.” McBride announced his bid for the U.S. Congress over the summer, which Townhall covered.
I’m excited to share that I'm running for Congress!
— Sen. Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) June 26, 2023
In Delaware, we’ve proven that small states can do BIG things. It’s time to do it again. 🧵
Become a founding donor » https://t.co/Dnj3FKQG4l pic.twitter.com/UD1DkxBaNy