In celebration of a number of impressive wins by LGBTQ candidates in Tuesday’s elections, DNC CEO Jess O’Connell and DNC LGBT Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes released this statement:

“Tuesday night was a landmark moment in LGBTQ history. Democrats from our community, including Jenny Durkan, who made history as the first openly lesbian mayor of Seattle, claimed decisive wins all over the country.

“What made the night truly exceptional, however, was the triumph of a number of openly transgender candidates for office. In Virginia, first-time candidate Danica Roem dominated in a race against her proudly transphobic opponent, who even authored an anti-trans “bathroom bill” in the Virginia House of Delegates. In Minneapolis, Andrea Jenkins became the first openly trans person to be elected to the city council of a major U.S. city.

“For far too long, transgender Americans have been shoved to the sidelines, in government and even in the LGBTQ rights movement. That’s beginning to change, and Tuesday’s results were a giant step forward. But this is only the beginning. LGBTQ Democrats will be front and center in the elections going forward, especially in the most vital races of 2018. We look forward to a bright and inclusive future.”