By Mila Madison

The transgender community now has something to celebrate, as they are officially represented in elected offices across the United States. Here is a look at seven historic candidates who won their elections.

Danica Roem - Virginia (House of Delegates)

Roem defeated 13-term Republican Incumbent Bob Marshall in what was one of the most brutal campaigns involving a transgender candidate this year. Marshall, who openly call shimself Virginia’s chief homophobe, resorted to anti-transgender propaganda in both his fundraising and campaign tactics. Marshall was the delegate who introduced the “Physical Privacy Act” which was an anti-transgender restroom bill. Roem stood up to Marshall and soundly defeated him by a margin of 53.94% to 45.66% (0.40% were write ins). She becomes the frst transgender person to win a state legislature seat.

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Andrea Jenkins - Minnesota (Minneapolis City Council)

Jenkins became the first openly transgender woman of color to be elected to public office in the United States ad she won Minnesota’s Ward 8 City Council seat. She received over 73% of the vote, defeating second place candidate Terry White by an overwhelming margin of 60.3%. Jenkins previously served as a policy aide for Ward 8 Council Member Elizabeth Glidden for 12 years, and is a well-known historian, artist, and transgender activist.

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Phillipe Cunningham - Minnesota (Minneapolis City Council)

Cunningham became Minnesota’s second transgender city council member on Wednesday after winning the Ward 4 race in a runoff against Incumbent Barb Johnson who failed to receive 50% of the vote. Cunningham was a senior policy aide for Mayor Betsy Hodges and former youth development professional.

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Lisa Middleton - California (Palm Springs City Council)

Lisa Middleton also made history in Palm Springs as she became the first transgender person elected to a non-judicial office in the state of California. Middleton (65), received 30% of the overall vote to win her race. She previously worked as an auditor at the State Compensation Insurance Fund for 36 years. She came out as transgender in 1995.

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Stephe Koontz - Georgia (Doraville City Council)

Koontz narrowly defeated her opponent Lee Flier in Doraville’s District 3 race, winning by a margin of 350-344. She becomes her city’s first openly transgender elected official. Koontz (58), is a small business owner and church administrator.

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Gerri Cannon - New Hampshire (Somersworth School Board)

Cannon was elected to the Somersworth School board on Tuesday by receiving 19% of the overall vote. She is a transgender activist and aspires to one day run for New Hampshire State Representative.

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Tyler Titus - Pennsylvania (Erie School Board)

Titus became the first openly transgender person elected in the state of Pennsylvania. He won a seat on the Erie School board by receiving 18% of the overall vote. Titus (33), is a father of two sons and is a licensed professional counselor who works in public and private schools throughout Erie.