Danica Roem

Nation’s first openly transgender person elected to a state Legislature

Danica Roem on Tuesday defeated Virginia state Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William County).

With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Roem is ahead of Marshall by a 55-45 percent margin.

Roem, a former journalist, will become the first openly transgender person seated in any state Legislature in the country. Marshall, who has represented the 13th District since 1992, is among the General Assembly’s most outspoken opponents of LGBT rights.