Deep-red southern state elects its first openly trans lawmaker as she snatches seat from Republican incumbent

Democrat Allison Montgomery, a 32-year-old software engineer, has become Alabama’s first openly transgender state lawmaker after defeating Republican incumbent Phillip Rigsby in House District 25. Her win is notable in a state that reliably votes Republican, and comes as Montgomery says voters should focus on her policies rather than her identity.

The article reports that Montgomery won just over 53 per cent of the vote to Rigsby’s just under 47 per cent, a margin it gives inconsistently as both 6.5 and 5.5 points. She campaigned on affordability, schools, healthcare, workers’ rights and tackling corruption in a district covering parts of Madison and Huntsville. After facing attacks over her gender identity, she said she would work for all constituents, including those who opposed her, and plans to discuss proposed legislation after taking time to rest.