Seattle has elected its first openly lesbian mayor, part of a banner election night for LGBTQ candidates.

Democrat Jenny Durkan prevailed in a competitive race jolted by former mayor Ed Murray declining to seek re-election amid accusations of sexual abuse, which he has denied.

In addition to being the first out lesbian to lead Seattle, Ms Durkan will be the city’s first woman mayor in nearly a century. She already held the distinction of being the first openly gay US Attorney after former President Barack Obama appointed her.

However, Ms Durkan will not be the first openly lesbian mayor of a major American city — that distinction belongs to former Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

According to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, at least 35 LGBTQ candidates won their races this week. The organisation said in a statement to the Washington Blade that it was “thrilled” by Ms Durkan’s victory, noting that “women and lesbians are severely underrepresented in all levels of government”.

Among the newly elected LGBTQ officials are Danica Roem, who became America’s first transgender state legislator when she won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Transgender in Pakistan Show all 16 1 /16 Transgender in Pakistan Transgender in Pakistan Dancing at Shakeela's party, an event to celebrate a transgender life in middle-age Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Venue staff members watch people dance at Shakeela's party in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Security searches guests as people arrive at Shakeela's party in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Members of the transgender community dance at Shakeela's party in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Shakeela, a member of the transgender community, works in the kitchen at home in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters Transgender in Pakistan 'It's the first time a transgender party has been held openly,' says activist Farzana Jan Transgender in Pakistan Farzana Jan, a member of the transgender community, poses for a photographer ahead of Shakeela's party in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Guests at Shakeela's party Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Money thrown by the guests is used by people to help them start a new business or project Transgender in Pakistan Rani smiles from behind her make-up as she prepares for the party Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Shakeela resting at her home in Peshawar Reuters Transgender in Pakistan A photo hangs on the wall in the home of members of the transgender community in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Make up lies on the floor as members of the transgender community prepare for Shakeela's party in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters Transgender in Pakistan A guest counts money she plans to throw at Shakeela's party Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Bubbly helps Shakeela with her dress as members of her own family watch on Reuters Transgender in Pakistan Chahat, a member of the transgender community, prepares for Shakeela's party in Peshawar, Pakistan Reuters

Making the victory especially sweet for LGBTQ advocates, Ms Roem toppled an opponent who had sponsored legislation to restrict the bathrooms transgender people use.