Two New York progressives have become the first openly gay Black people elected to Congress.
By Michael Gold
Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones, two young progressive candidates from New York, became the first two openly gay Black men elected to Congress after they were declared winners in their House races.
Both men will replace retiring lawmakers in their district. Mr. Torres, a 32-year-old New York City councilman, will represent New York’s 15th congressional district, which sits in the Bronx and is currently represented by Representative José E Serrano.
Mr. Jones, a lawyer, will represent the 17th congressional district, in New York City’s northern suburbs, filling the seat held by Representative Nita Lowey, the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee.
“Tonight, we made history,” Mr. Torres tweeted on Tuesday evening. “It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/two-new-york-progressives-have-become-the-first-openly-gay-black-people-elected-to-congress.html