Twitter is so excited about Andrea Jenkins’ historic win in Minnesota
People are still celebrating the historic wins of Election Day 2017. Voter turnout was surprisingly high; Danica Roem became the first openly trans person in Virginia to be elected to state legislature; Andrea Jenkins became the first openly transgender black woman to be elected to U.S. public office.
Needless to say, this was a milestone election year.
Jenkins was officially elected to the Minneapolis City Council on Tuesday, November 7th. She walked away with 73% of the vote by connecting directly with her constituents. She focused her campaign on reducing youth violence and improving the neighborhood — something that resonated powerfully with the people in her district. In an interview with The Washington Post, Jenkins talked about her pivotal victory as a black trans woman.
"Transgender people have been here forever, and black transgender people have been here forever. I’m really proud to have achieved that status, and I look forward to more trans people joining me in elected office, and all other kinds of leadership roles in our society.
And Twitter had a lot to say about this historic moment.
So proud of movement auntie, Andrea Jenkins, who became the first openly trans woman of color elected to the city council of a major U.S. city. She’ll represent Ward 8 of Minneapolis! So much history being made tonight! #AJ4W8 #TransFolksCanWin #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/AJqvDt9E7q
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) November 8, 2017
ANDREA JENKINS IS THE FIRST BLACK TRANS WOMAN TO BE ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES
— jay hiatus wu (@jhtripleu) November 8, 2017
Congratulations to #DanicaRoem and #AndreaJenkins! I'm so happy I could cry. Northern Virginia and Minneapolis: two places I've called home. Thanks for voting, everyone!
— Aleja 🌷🏳️🌈 (@enchantingcat) November 8, 2017
Millenials are killing the "old transphobic white politician" industry #DanicaRoem #AndreaJenkins
— Divine Alchemist of the Self (@elthree37) November 8, 2017
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It's been a rough year but I'm glad to live in a country with people who would elect #AndreaJenkins and #DanicaRoem
— The Tweetslinger (@DALLASNITES) November 8, 2017
Congratulations to Andrea Jenkins for becoming the first openly trans woman of color elected to the city council of a major U.S. city! pic.twitter.com/YUWy3lAsVS
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 8, 2017
And fellow politicians were delighted by this turn of events, too.
Another first last night: Andrea Jenkins, new Mpls city council member, is first transgender woman of color elected in major city!
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) November 8, 2017
Celebrities also raised their voices:
Congratulations Andrea #AndreaJenkins #TransIsBeautiful https://t.co/6YCiYxbLb7
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) November 8, 2017
#AndreaJenkins you go girl! African American Trans Woman elected into US public office! Bad ass! @happyhippiefdn pic.twitter.com/lGzV4b1w1Y
— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) November 8, 2017
Congratulations again, Andrea Jenkins. Your victory is a powerful one, and a moment in history no one will soon forget.
