Many queer and trans Americans are feeling hopeful following the results
BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/USCBP
LGBTQIA+ Americans (and many spectators from around the globe) felt a swell of hope when the US midterm election revealed a “blue wave”. There were notably some queer and trans winners among those who were elected. But who are the LGBTQIA+ winners?
Sarah McBride – US House, Delaware
What a moment for the trans history books! McBride is the nation’s first out transgender federal lawmaker and has won reelection as the lone member of Congress from the First State. Suffice to say, she is a trailblazer.
DeShanna Neal – Delaware House
This non-binary Delaware state representative secured their seat for District 13 after running unopposed. Neal became the state’s first openly non-binary elected official when they were first elected to the Delaware State House in 2022.
Bentley Hudgins – Georgia Assembly
Hudgins has won a seat in the Georgia Assembly and is notably the state’s first out transgender and non-binary state lawmaker. The Democrat defeated Republican Samantha Boston in House District 90. Many trans Americans have celebrated how this longtime organiser has made history in the deep south.
Sharice Davids – US House, Kansas
Preserving her representation of the Sunflower State, Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas won re-election to Congress. She’s one of the first two Native American women to be elected to the US House and was also the first openlyLGBTQIA+ person elected to Congress from Kansas.
Zooey Zephyr – Montana House
Zephyr ran unopposed in Montana’s 95th House District; she’s also Montana’s first out trans state legislator. She’s also married to trans journalist Erin Reed. The couple notably met while protesting investigations into the parents of transgender youth in Texas.
JoAnna Mendoza – US House, Arizona
Mendoza is an openly LGBTQIA+ Marine veteran who served during the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” era. The Democratic congressional candidate beat Republican Rep. Juan Ciscoman in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. In doing so, she flipped a closely watched House seat.
Maura Healey – Governor, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who is one of the nation’s first out lesbian governors, secured a second term and defeated Republican Mike Mnogue in the process.
Claire Snyder-Hall – Delaware House
This lesbian Delaware lawmaker is another LGBTQIA+ win for the state. She defeated Republican Mike Simpler, which marked a rematch of their 2024 contest. She will continue to represent the coastal communities around Rehoboth Beach.
Emily Randall – US House, Washington
Rep. Emily Randall is the first LGBTQIA+ Latina in Congress, and she won re-election in Washington State. She has secured a second term representing the state’s 6th Congressional District, and defeated Republican Teresa Fox in the process. She has promised to continue advocating for healthcare accessibility, economic opportunity and reproductive rights.
Tina Kotek – Governor, Oregon
Oregon’s first lesbian governor was re-elected, to the delight of the state’s LGBTQIA+ voters. The governor is a firm supporter of both LGBTQIA+ and reproductive rights.
​Marni von Wilpert – US House, California
This openly bisexual Democrat flipped her California House seat. She has vowed to bring her fight for healthcare to Congress. She defeated Republican Jim Desmond in California’s 48th Congressional District.
Ann Johnson – Texas House
Many LGBTQIA+ Americans were particularly overjoyed to see Texas turn blue. This lesbian lawmaker was re-elected during the midterms and secured a fourth term in Texas, a state where lawmakers have repeatedly attacked LGBTQIA+ rights. She represents Houston’s 134th House District.
Becca Balint
Balint, co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, secured re-election in Vermont. She’s the first woman and openly LGBTQIA+ person to represent the state in Congress and defeated Republican Gerald Malloy, securing her third term in the US House of Representatives.
Allison Montgomery – Alabama House
Montgomery unseated Republican State Rep. Phillip Rigsby for a seat representing Alabama’s House District 25. In doing so, she became the state’s first transgender legislator.
Jessica Benham – Pennsylvania House
This openly bisexual state legislator and disability rights advocate has secured a fourth term. She became the first openly LGBTQIA+ woman and first autistic person to be elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Leigh Finke – Minnesota House
Rep. Leigh Finke is the first out trans lawmaker who helped protect gender-affirming care. She has now been re-elected by Minnesota voters. She defeated Republican Mark Born and has secured a third term after championing the state’s trans refuge law.
Quinnie Pérez – Orange County, Florida
This is another history-making win. Pérez has become Florida’s first openly transgender elected official. She will join the district’s nonpartisan, volunteer board in January 2027, helping to promote conservation.
Chris Pappas – US Senate, New Hampshire
This is another history-making win because Pappas is the first openly gay man to be elected to the US Senate. Voters overwhelmingly chose the Democrat over Republican former Sen. John Sununu.
Ritchie Torres – US House, New York
Rep. Ritchie Torres is the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress. He has won a fourth term representing New York’s 15th Congressional District. The Democrat will return to Washington and continue to press the Trump administration over its handling of LGBTQIA+ housing discrimination complaints.
Malcolm Kenyatta – Pennsylvania House
This openly gay politician made history in 2018 when he became the first openly gay Black person elected to the state legislature and the second member overall. During this year’s midterm elections, he was re-elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 181st District in the House of Representatives.
JD Ford – US House, Indiana
This openly gay Democrat beat Republican US Rep. Victoria Spartz. This victory is particularly remarkable as a Democrat hasn’t held this seat since 1990.
Jeremy Moss – US House, Michigan
The people of Michigan have elected Moss to the US House of Representatives. The openly LGBTQIA+ state senator will succeed Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens.
Mark Pocan – US House, Wisconsin
Pocan is one of the longest-serving openly LGBTQIA+ members of the US House of Representatives. The midterm election results ensured that he will extend his service.
Robert Garcia – US House, California
This openly gay Democrat was re-elected during the midterms. He defeated Republican Brian Burley and will be the new chair of the House Oversight Committee.
Mark Takano – US House, California
Takano, the Congressional Equality Caucus chair, was re-elected, securing his eigth term. Throughout his career, he has defended transgender service members. In 2012, he also became the first openly gay person of colour to be elected to the House.
Eric Sorensen, US House, Illinois
Sorensen has had an interesting life. Not only is he the first out LGBTQIA+ person elected to Congress from Illinois, but he’s also a former TV meteorologist. He’s now won a third term representing the state’s 17th Congressional District.
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