Democratic nominees Mondaire Jones and Ritchie Torres have made history in New York by being elected to Congress. Torres becomes the first openly-LGBTQ Afro-Latinx man to be elected to Congress, while Jones is the first Black, gay man to take a Congressional seat.
New York City council member Ritchie Torres was fighting for New York State’s 15 Congressional District, which covers the South Bronx.
With 88% of the ballot counting completed at the time of writing, Torres has taken 88% of the vote, while his Republican opponent, Patrick Delices, took just 11%. On hearing he’d won, Torres tweeted, “Thank you. Tonight, we made history. It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx.”
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Thank you.
Tonight, we made history.
It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/9ykMiWgYk3
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) November 4, 2020
“It is the honor of a lifetime to represent a borough filled with essential workers who have risked their lives so that New York City could live,” he told reporters.
“The Bronx is essential, and the vibrant, loving and talented people who live here have shown time and again their power, fortune and perseverance.
“The Bronx is the heartbeat of New York City.”
Mondaire Jones, an attorney, also won his race for the 17th congressional district seat, encompassing Westchester and Rockland County.
Among those to vote for him was Hillary Clinton. The former Presidential candidate posted a photo of herself after she’d voted. Jones asked her who she’d voted for in the congressional race.
“You, of course,” she replied.
You, of course.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 4, 2020
Jones won 54% of the vote, against Republican rival Maureen McArdle Schulman’s 39.7%.
Related: Meet the man who may become America’s first Black gay congressman
Yesterday Jones tweeted of how his grandmother, “Used to clean homes in Congers [NY]. When daycare was too expensive, she took me with her. Now I get to run to represent the same people whose homes I watched my grandmother clean growing up. My story, quintessentially, is that of the American Dream.”
My grandmother used to clean homes in Congers. When daycare was too expensive, she took me with her. Now I get to run to represent the same people whose homes I watched my grandmother clean growing up.
My story, quintessentially, is that of the American Dream. #NY17Votes pic.twitter.com/PyHknx6xvL
— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) November 3, 2020
Kangol2
Congrats to both of them. Based on their policies and backers, Mondaire Jones is more progressive than Ritchie Torres, but both will be a welcome addition to the new Congress.
WashDrySpin
This is awesome and encouraging news also CONGRATS to both of these men…their presence is a welcome addition to Congress
WashDrySpin
It is very telling of the racial bias here on Queerty amongst the readers (if you can call them that)…this OUTSTANDING news received VERY little acknowledgment…but a sex worker receives more comments than this news…
Ah, yes the racial bias in the gay community is yet ever present
enlightenone
So far, it looks that way. Then again, it is just after an election night. Time will tell!
enlightenone
Good character, morals, strength, educated, classy, patriotic – what America needs if it ever wants to be great!
Tyrone Johnston
Congrats to these two! I was even happier to learn that the POS known as Juan Melecio (Antonio Biaggi) only got 644 votes (6%) for Wilton Manors Commission.
Brewster69
I hope they’re seated on either side of Madison Cawthorn!