Ritchie Torres Makes History As First Openly Gay Black Member Of Congress

Ritchie Torres has been projected (as of 10pm ET Tuesday night) to become the first openly gay, Afro-Latino member of Congress after winning in one of the Unites States 'most Democratic-leaning House seats.'

New York's 15th District is rated by Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index as D+44, making it the most Democratic district in America.

Torres' greatest hurdle for election was in the democratic primary this past summer in which he defeated Rev. Rubén Díaz Sr., following the retirement of Rep. José Serrano. Torres received support from Bold PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's (CHC) campaign arm.

“In a crowded primary field, Ritchie Torres was the clear standout candidate as the youngest Latino elected to the NYC Council, the son of a single working mother from the Bronx and a champion for the essential workers of New York City," said Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), chairman of Bold PAC.

Torres has vowed to join the CHC as well as the Congressional Black Caucus and the Bold PAC, a campaign group that's substantially grown in reach and fundraising under Cárdenas.

"His victory is a testament to the Hispanic Caucus’ commitment to expanding our Caucus with diverse voices by investing in candidates like Ritchie Torres, who is soon to be the first openly LGBTQ+ Afro- Latino Member of Congress," Cárdenas added.

Photo: Getty