Transcription
Yesterday, voters elected representatives and senators that mark a generational and demographic shift. There were history makers among the elected representatives, and Michael Stereos is taking a look at some of the firsts now going to be on Capitol Hill.
A number for us, because as we talked about the Democrats taking back the House, Heather, we're also talking about a number of societal barriers falling last night. With that, we want to begin in Michigan. Take a look at this because in Michigan, Rasheeda Talib became the first Palestinian American to be elected to the U.S. Congress. She's a Democrat, a woman who gained notoriety after being thrown out of a Trump rally for asking the U.S. president if he had ever read the U.S. Constitution.
Also notable because Talib is one of two Muslim women elected last night. And with that, let's now go to Minnesota, also another first, because Ilhan Omar is the other Muslim woman who was elected to the U.S. Congress. She's also the first Somali American to be chosen for the House of Representatives, a former refugee as well.
And with that, to Kansas, because another first, Cherise David's being one of two Native American women elected to Congress for the first time ever. Native American women representing in the House of Representatives. David's also being the first lesbian from Kansas to be elected to the U.S. Congress. She's also a former MMA fighter.
And to New Mexico, where the other Native American is setting new standards here. This is Deb Holland. She is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe. She ran with the promise of impeaching the U.S. president, so of note there as well.
And to Texas, where a third of the state claims to have Latino heritage, but for the first time finally last night, electing two Latina women to the U.S. Congress. For Otto Escobar, elected on the left there in El Paso, and in Houston, Sylvia Garcia.
To Massachusetts now, where Ayanna Pressley becomes the first African American to be elected to the House of Representatives for that state. And from Massachusetts to nearby New York, where Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her race, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress. Heather, get this, only 29 years of age.
So a night of firsts, and as you say, generational as well. Free tuition, single-payer health care, some of her very progressive views, and the energy of a 29-year-old. Michael, thank you.