A Pennsylvania town elected its first openly transgender mayor Tuesday.
Erica Deuso was elected as Downingtown’s first openly transgender mayor with nearly 65% of the vote, 6 ABC reported. Deuso, a 45-year-old Vermont native, was one of more than 170 candidates across the U.S. who were endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and won their elections.
In reacting to the results of the election, the mayor-elect said history and identity did not matter to voters.
“It didn’t matter about my history or my identity. What matters is that I’m going to be that neighbor they can count on. I’ve gotten more questions about our good neighbor Christmas parade than I have about my gender identity.”
“I approach my life as being a good neighbor. I want to be somebody who can be a role model as well. I may be the first, but I’m not going to be the last,” Deuso said.
Deuso ran for mayor after Sitting Democratic Mayor Phil Dague declined to run for a second term, according to the Daily Local News. Deuso received the Democratic Party’s endorsement, defeating challenger Barry Cassidy during the May primary, WHYY reported. Deuso’s campaign focused on housing affordability, domestic violence and combating teen suicide, according to the outlet.
Deuso, a committeeperson with the Chester County Democratic Committee, defeated Republican candidate Richard Bryant in Tuesday’s election. Deuso previously ran for the position of state legislator, according to WHYY.
Deuso graduated from Drexel University in Pennsylvania and works for the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson in business management, PhillyVoice reported. (RELATED: Bomb Threats At NJ Polling Stations Connected To Russian Email Address)
The mayor-elect reacted to Tuesday’s election results.
“Tonight, the numbers are clear. We won. Voters chose hope, decency, and a community where every neighbor matters. I am honored to be elected as Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor. I carry that responsibility with care and with purpose,” Deuso said, according to WHYY.