Downingtown elects first openly transgender mayor in city, state history

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Tuesday's election results brought some historic firsts across the country, including in Downingtown. The city elected its first openly transgender mayor. It's a first not just for Downingtown but for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

"I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support," said Mayor-elect Erica Deuso.

All day Wednesday, Deuso, a Democrat, received calls from all over the world congratulating her on her historic win. She says while she's honored to have a place in history as the first openly transgender mayor in the state, it's not the reason she won the election.

"I approach my life as being a good neighbor," she said of the philosophy that she says she has in common with many members of the Downingtown community. "I want to be somebody who can be a role model as well. I may be the first, but I'm not going to be the last," said the 45-year-old.

Deuso, a native of Vermont who has a background in business and science, has only run for office one other time. She thinks her love for the community is what helped her win nearly 65% of the vote.

"It didn't matter about my history or my identity. What matters is that I'm going to be that neighbor they can count on," she said. "I've gotten more questions about our good neighbor Christmas parade than I have about my gender identity."

Deuso was one of more than 170 candidates nationwide who were endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and won their elections.

"We're seeing more people getting elected, not because they're trans but because they're the best people to serve in those offices," said Daniel Hernandez, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund VP of Political Programming.

Hernandez says that Deuso's win is significant at a time when anti-transgender rhetoric has ramped up.

"The year of attacks against the trans community and the LGBT community are backfiring," he said.

Deuso says her campaign was focused not on her identity, but on issues like flood mitigation. Many in the area are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Ida in 2021.

"We need to make sure people along the Brandywine Creek are safe," she said.

The mayor-elect also plans to address issues, including domestic violence and city budgeting. She'll hold open office hours during her term, as she continues her efforts to be a good neighbor after making history.

"The work isn't done because I won yesterday," she said. "The work is just beginning."

Deuso will be sworn in on January 7.