In a historic turn of events, Danica Roem has been elected as Virginia’s first openly transgender state senator. Her victory marks a significant milestone in the realm of American politics and LGBTQ+ representation. Roem’s achievement comes after a closely contested race, making her only the second openly transgender individual to secure a seat in a state Senate, following in the footsteps of Delaware’s Sarah McBride.
Running as a Democrat, Roem clinched victory by defeating her Republican opponent, Bill Woolf, with a margin of over 3 percentage points. Woolf, a former Fairfax County police officer, had garnered the endorsement of Virginia’s Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin.
In a statement shared on social media, an elated Roem expressed her gratitude to the people of Virginia’s 30th Senate district. She emphasized her commitment to serving her lifelong home in western Prince William County and greater Manassas. Roem made it clear that her priorities in office would revolve around issues that matter to her constituents, such as infrastructure improvement, ensuring children have access to adequate nutrition, and safeguarding the environment. She stressed her dedication to inclusivity, stating her opposition to any stigmatization of transgender youth and any efforts to curtail civil rights.
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.
Thank you so, so much. It’s time to get back to work! pic.twitter.com/EYVYvvTExo
— Del. Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) November 8, 2023
Danica Roem is no stranger to making history within Virginia’s political landscape. In the 2017 election, she became the first openly transgender person to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates. Her historic win not only symbolized a personal achievement but also contributed to a significant electoral shift in Virginia’s political dynamics.
Roem’s election victory was part of a broader trend on the night of the election. It marked a triumphant moment for Democrats and LGBTQ+ candidates across Virginia. The Republican party, led by Governor Glenn Youngkin, had sought to gain control of the State Senate to establish a dominant presence in the state government. However, Roem’s win, coupled with other Democratic successes, thwarted those efforts.
The election night in Virginia turned out to be a major success for the Democratic Party, as they retained control of the state Senate and gained dominance in the state House of Delegates. These results reflect the shifting political landscape in the Old Dominion and highlight the growing influence of LGBTQ+ individuals in American politics.