esota elects first transgender state lawmaker // Minnesota’s first transgender lawmaker has been elected to office by its voters. Leigh Finke, a Democratic candidate, received 15,635 votes (or 81%) in District 66A of the Minnesota House of Representatives. It is located northeast Minneapolis and has a population just over 41,000 residents. FOX NEWS MINNESOTA ELECTIONS Trace Johnson (R), Finke’s opponent, received 3,569 votes or 18.5%. Finke will succeed Alice Hausman (D), the first woman elected to office in 1989, when she is sworn in as her successor. Finke ran on improving mental health in schools, LGBTQ Issues, and economic opportunities. DEMS UNDER FIIRE AFTER TIES to LAWMAKER WHO WANTS TO CRIMINALIZE PARENTS THAT DON’T AFIRM LGBT KIDS EXPOSED Finke took to Twitter Wednesday morning to announce the win. In a tweet, she stated that “Many stories” will be written about Minnesota’s election. She cited the Victory Fund. “One undisputed story is the rise in Queer Political Power.” Victory Fund is an organization that works towards increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected representatives at all levels. According to its website, Victory Fund helped thousands of LGBTQ candidates get elected into office since 1991. Annise Parker, president and CEO of Victory Fund stated that Leigh made history tonight because of her willingness to disrupt the status-quo and fight for real changes in her community. “She has a vision for the future that voters love, from protecting abortion rights to addressing social inequities. Her win is a strong and clear rebuke of the transphobia that is currently pervading our communities. Her success will encourage other trans people to run for office.