Election victory of transgender woman in Virginia gives hope to a community reeling nationwide

For Danica Roem, the core issue of her campaign centered on combating the weekday gridlocked on Route 28 in northern Virginia. Her proposals - highlighted on fliers and social media advertisements - included allocating funds to widen the thoroughfare and removing unnecessary traffic lights.

In the end, it became a winning message in her candidacy for Virginia's 13th House District. It also, in turn, helped launch her into history as the first openly transgender