The 8 most progressive wins from the 2017 election

By Caitlingallagher

November 8, 2017

By Caitlingallagher

November 8, 2017

Danica Roem is greeted by supporters as she prepares to give her victory speech

If you were overwhelmingly disappointed in America during the 2016 election, your progressive heart should feel a bit lighter after the 2017 election. Although the November 7th election only affected some states, you might be feeling more optimistic than you did yesterday, and it’s thanks to the major winners of the 2017 election.

Donald Trump is still very much our nation’s president, but the 2017 election showed that progressive and inclusive thinking is alive and well — at least in some states. While numerous cities held local elections for positions ranging from mayor to school board, only two states, New Jersey and Virginia, had gubernatorial elections in 2017. New Jersey and Virginia also had state legislative elections — New Jersey for its General Assembly and Senate, and Virginia for its House of Delegates. But even though the results for progressives weren’t as overwhelmingly striking as they could possibly be in a midterm election year — like next year’s 2018 race — this off-year election still suggests hope for Democrats.

With notable wins for LGBTQ+ and minority candidates, there’s something to celebrate. So here are some of the big Democratic winners from the 2017 election — and they are wins for forward-thinking citizens as well.

1Ralph Northam

Tonight we proved that we're stronger when we value and fight for one another. Onward to Richmond! pic.twitter.com/QIKjRzPHqG

— Ralph Northam (@RalphNortham) November 8, 2017

Although a Democrat is the current governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam’s win is significant in the post-Trump era and also reflects the Democratic sweep in the state during the 2017 election.

2Phil Murphy

Thank you, New Jersey! We're ready to have your back in Trenton! #Muprhy4NJ #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/XoSswOYYKP

— Phil Murphy (@PhilMurphy) November 8, 2017

For New Jersey’s governor race, Phil Murphy defeated Republican Kim Guadagno, who served under Chris Christie for the last eight years.

3Danica Roem

Danica Roem's win in Virginia last night is a victory for all transgender Americans. https://t.co/9ggC9kWKa7 pic.twitter.com/f0nD0oGc61

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 8, 2017

Roem was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates after being Virginia’s first openly transgender candidate. She isn’t the first transgender person to serve in a state legislature (that would be Massachusetts’ Althea Garrison in the ’90s), but her win is particularly poignant considering she defeated Bob Marshall, who reportedly called himself Virginia’s “chief homophobe.”

4Andrea Jenkins

Andrea Jenkins is now the first openly trans woman of color elected to the city council of a major U.S. city. Congratulations @annapoetic! Congratulations Minneapolis! #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/8zCmcgZblR

— Women's March (@womensmarch) November 8, 2017

As an openly transgender black woman, Andrea Jenkins was elected to the Minneapolis, Minnesota, City Council.

5Vi Lyles

Last night history was made & @ViLyles became the FIRST Black woman to become Mayor of Charlotte, NC pic.twitter.com/GtKs3FYaYk

— The Root (@TheRoot) November 8, 2017

Vi Lyles defeated Republican Kenny Smith to become the first African American female mayor in the history of Charlotte, North Carolina.

6Ravinder Bhalla

Thank you Hoboken. I look forward to being your Mayor! #TeamBhalla #FinishedStrong pic.twitter.com/UKPuXkDWGX

— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) November 8, 2017

Despite being targeted by racist flyers because he wears a turban, Ravi Bhalla became the first Sikh mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey.

7Jenny Durkan

Yassss #JennyDurkan ! Last time Seattle elected a woman as mayor was in the '20s & she is an out lesbian determined to do great things! Awesome role model! Congrats! @happyhippiefdn pic.twitter.com/cPwGJLENP3

— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) November 8, 2017

Seattle was going to see its first woman mayor since the 1920s no matter what, but Jenny Durkan is projected to defeat Cary Moon to become the first lesbian mayor of Washington’s largest city.