First Run News

RICHMOND, Va.

RICHMOND, Va.

The first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state legislature defeated her conservative Republican opponent in a closely watched Virginia election. In a historic bid, Democrat Danica Roem beat Republican incumbent Bob Marshall, one of Virginia's most socially conservative lawmakers, in Tuesday's election in the northern Virginia district, according to The Associated Press. Marshall has served in the House since 1992 and has been a lightning rod for controversy.

As Democrats nabbed two major gubernatorial races, Election Day was historic for a number of LGBT and other minority candidates. Former journalist Danica Roem became the nation's first openly transgender woman elected to a state legislature.

Pushback against President Donald Trump helped lift Democrats to governorships in the two highest-profile U.S. elections since the 2016 presidential contest. Phil Murphy, the former U.S. ambassador to Germany, is projected to win New Jersey's gubernatorial election, based on ABC News' analysis of the exit poll.

Democrats scored a pair of major gubernatorial victories Tuesday, based on ABC News' analyses of the exit poll and vote, landing new governors in New Jersey and Virginia as the party attempted to showcase resilience one year after President Donald Trump's surprise election victory. In Virginia, which was expected to be the closer of the two races, Democratic Lt. Gov.

A nation divided shocked itself a year ago with an election that upended politics as we know it and took the country in a vastly different direction. The shock has barely worn off. It created waves that continue to wash over a nation that seems as restless and even as angry as it was on Election Day 2016. The year after Donald Trump’s victory has demonstrated that the election did not merely expose the nation’s divisions.

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories Ground Game Most of the election news on Tuesday focused on the races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey, but there were a lot of interesting results around the country that you may have missed. Below is a round-up of some other buzzworthy results: - A New Jersey politician who mocked the national women’s march earlier in the year lost his reelection to a 32-year-old woman.

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories DATA SOURCE: AP Mayoral and city council races were decided around the state on Tuesday.

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories DATA: Twitter Daniel McLaughlin / Globe Staff © 2017 Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC