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. RubĂ©n DĂaz Sr., following the retirement of Rep. JosĂ© 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