Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones have become the first openly gay Black members of Congress. They will be filling seats for New York’s 15th and 17th Congressional District.
What We Know:
- Torres, a Democratic party member, fills the seat left by left by Jose Serrano, a 16-term Democrat. Torres will represent New York’s 15th district.
- In a tweet last night, Torres calls it “the honor of a lifetime to represent a borough filled with essential workers who risked their lives so that New York City could live”.
- Torres is joined by Mondaire Jones, also an openly gay Black man. Jones will represent New York’s 17th Congressional District.
- Jones shared a similar sentiment to Torres on Twitter, saying, “Growing up, I never imagined someone like me could run for Congress, let alone get elected. To grow up poor, Black, and gay is to not see yourself anywhere. Now I am honored to have the opportunity of a lifetime.
This election brings hope for more representation in our politics for the future, a possible future with many firsts.
