As of this post’s publication, we’re still waiting for the results of the presidential election, and we’ll likely have to wait longer than any of us are comfortable with. But across the U.S., lower-level elections and ballot initiatives have already been decided, and there are quite a few reasons to be hopeful. We’ve rounded up some of the “firsts” and other historic markers that have already resulted from the 2020 election, and we’ll update this post with others as they’re announced.
Arizona
In a decision that was undoubtedly impacted by how terrible 2020 has been, Arizona became the 13th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana (following New Jersey, below).
Delaware
Sarah McBride, a 30-year-old LGBTQ activist, will become the nation’s first openly trans state senator and the highest-ranking openly trans lawmaker in the country after winning her race. McBride was previously an intern in the Obama administration and press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. “I spent my entire life feeling like tonight was so incomprehensible that it was seemingly impossible,” McBride told BuzzFeed News.
Florida
With the victories of Michele Raynor-Goolsby and Shevrin Jones, Florida has elected its first openly queer Black woman as a state legislator and its first openly LGBTQ+ state senator, respectively. Florida voters also approved a $15 minimum wage.
Georgia
Kim Jackson will become the first openly LGBTQ+ state senator in Georgia history after defeating her Republican opponent.
Kansas
Stephanie Byers’ victory Tuesday night makes her the first openly transgender person ever elected to the Kansas state House and the first openly trans person of color ever elected to a state legislature in the U.S.
Missouri
Cori Bush’s victory in her race for Missouri’s 1st congressional district makes her the first Black woman to be elected to Congress in Missouri. A registered nurse and ordained pastor, Bush is also a prominent activist who protested the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014. She previously ran for the House of Representatives in 2018 and for a Senate seat in 2016. On Tuesday, she was elected to represent Missouri’s 1st congressional district in the House of Representatives.
New Jersey
New Jersey became the 12th state to legalize recreational marijuana.
New York
New York saw a slew of historic wins on Tuesday night. Mondaire Jones won his race for New York’s 17th Congressional district, making him one of the nation’s first openly queer, Black Congressmen along with Ritchie Torres, who won his race for the 15th Congressional District in the South Bronx. Torres is also the first openly queer Afro-Latino to serve in Congress. Additionally, Jabari Brisport won his race for New York’s 25th District, making him the first LGBTQ person of color elected to the New York State Legislature.
Oregon
Oregon became the first state to vote to legalize psychedelic mushrooms in controlled environments.
Tennessee
Torrey Harris and Eddie Mannis’ victories in their respective state House races make them the first openly LGBTQ officials ever elected to Tennessee state legislature.
from Slate Magazine https://ift.tt/3ewq6GU
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