Exeter Voters Elect State's First Transgender Lawmaker

EXETER, NH -- New Hampshire voters made history in the midterm election this week, electing their first transgender state representatives. Democrats Lisa Bunker (at left), of Exeter, and Gerri Cannon, of Somersworth, were part of a blue wave that crashed over the Granite State. Democrats flipped the House, Senate and Executive Council and won both congressional races.

Bunker, an author, told Patch she was inspired to run after the 2016 election.

"I felt like I needed to do anything I could ... to stand up for what I believed in," Bunker said.

Bunker said her top priority in Concord will be making it easier for people to vote. She hopes to serve on the House Election Law Committee and explore issues like early voting and having redistricting overseen by a nonpartisan panel. New Hampshire is one of a dozen states without early voting.

She said she also hopes to end some of the divisiveness at the statehouse.

On her gender identity, she said, "I don't feel like my gender identity has any bearing on my ability as a state legislator ... I hope that there are other marginalized people who watched this election and now feel empowered."

Granite State citizens elected perhaps their most diverse legislature ever Tuesday. Melanie Levesque became the first black woman elected to the Senate and in Concord, voters elected Safiya Wazier to the House. Wazier, 27, escaped the Taliban and recently earned her American citizenship.

New Hampshire voters also elected their first gay congressman in Chris Pappas, who won in the First District, one of the key swing districts across the country.

"When we have diverse voices and experiences represented in the legislature, stronger results are delivered to our communities," New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley said in a statement.

On the Republican side, one of the lone bright spots on Election Day was the re-election of GOP Governor Chris Sununu.

The victories by Bunker and Cannon came the same year state lawmakers and Sununu approved increased protections for the LGBTQ community. The new laws outlaw gender discrimination and gay conversion therapy. The actions came on the heels of a state report that found New Hampshire is "behind other states" regarding inclusion and diversity.

"If we really want to be the Live Free or Die State, we must ensure that New Hampshire is a place where every person, regardless of their background, has an equal and full opportunity to pursue their dreams and to make a better life for themselves and their families," Sununu said in a statement at the time.

New Hampshire 2018 Midterm Election Results

• NH Democratic Wave Halted At Governor's Office; Sununu Re-Elected
• Chris Pappas First LGBTQ Congressman For NH
• NH Trump-Backed Candidate Loses Congressional Race
• Family Leave, Marijuana Bills Likely After Democratic Wave

Photo credits: Lisa Bunker (left) and Gerri Cannon