On Tuesday, Tucson, Ariz. made history electing Regina Romero the city’s first-ever Latina mayor.
The former Democratic city councilwoman will take office next month, becoming the first woman to hold the city’s highest elected position and the second Latino mayor of the second-most populated Arizona metropolis.
With 55 percent of the vote, Romero, who is Mexican American, defeated independent Ed Ackerley and Green Party candidate Mike Cease.
After announcing her victory Tuesday night, the three-term councilwoman and former director of Latino engagement at the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson took the opportunity to call for unity.
“At a time when our national politics have been sown with division, Tucsonans remain united by our shared desire to promote a safe, just and sustainable city that provides economic opportunity for our families and future generations. This movement is open to everyone — whatever your background, whatever your party, whoever you voted for — let’s work together! We will always be one Tucson — somos uno,” she said, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
Romero was backed by several women and Latino organizations, including Planned Parenthood, Mi Familia Vota and Latino Victory Fund.
“Councilwoman Regina Romero shattered one glass ceiling when she became the first Latina elected to the Tucson City Council, and now she’s broken yet another one by becoming Tucson’s first woman and first Latina mayor,” Mayra Macías, executive director at Latino Victory Fund, said in a statement. “Her groundbreaking election is a testament of who she is as a leader and all the incredible things she’ll accomplish for the people of Tucson as their new mayor.”
The victory also makes Romero the only Latina mayor of one of the 50 largest cities in the country.
She will succeed Democratic Mayor Jonathan Rothschild to lead one of the most progressive cities in a largely red state that is increasingly being considered a battleground region in the 2020 elections.