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Democrat Summer Lee has defeated Republican challenger Mike Doyle in the race for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, making her the first Black woman to be elected to Congress from Pennsylvania, The Hill reports.
Lee, a progressive, two-term state House member who was endorsed by Bernie Sanders, garnered 55.7 percent of the vote compared to the 44.3 percent held by Doyle, who conceded Tuesday (November 8) night.
"This was a movement that was about what it looks like when we prioritize the most marginalized when we prioritize and really fight for what a real working-class movement can look like in this country," Lee said at her election night party in downtown Pittsburgh.
Lee's historic win comes after longtime Democratic Rep. Mike Doyle, who has the same name as her Republican opponent, retired from his congressional seat in Pennsylvania's 12th district. Her successful bid marks a major win for progressives as she is expected to be the latest addition to "the squad", a group of progressive lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Doyle, the Republican challenger, said in a statement, conceding to the election, "While we came up short in the 12th Congressional District I look forward to continuing to serve my neighbors in Plum and supporting candidates who share my values in future elections."
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