For the first time in history, a Latina was elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.
In a close race for Nevada, Catherine Cortez Masto edged past Republican opponent Joe Heck on Tuesday (Nov. 8) with 49 percent of the vote, NBC reports.
I’m proud to be Nevada’s 1st female and our nation’s 1st Latina senator. It’s about time our government mirrors the diversity of our nation.
— CatherineCortezMasto (@CatherineForNV) November 9, 2016
The granddaughter of a Mexican immigrant, Cortez Masto will be the fourth Latino to serve in the Senate as she prepares to join Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.).
Our government is based on a system of checks and balances. And trust me, I will be one hell of a check on Donald Trump.
— CatherineCortezMasto (@CatherineForNV) November 9, 2016
“I want you to know this isn’t my win, it is our win. We did this together,” the former attorney general said in her victory speech. “As I look at the room right now, I can see there is just an incredible, incredible group of people out here. The multicolored fabric of Nevada, the diversity here, is our strength and I can see from your faces that we are going to continue to be strong and continue to fight for our families, for our future — here in Nevada and across this country.”
Congratulations are surely in order for Cortez Masto, as many have taken to Twitter to celebrate an overdue yet colossal milestone.
Silver lining: first Latina senator was elected in Nevada tonight.
— Vanessa Ochoa (@MsVanessaOchoa) November 9, 2016
so proud of @CatherineForNV for becoming first Latina US Senator. #ElectionNight
— Diane Guerrero (@dianeguerrero__) November 9, 2016
Our new US Senator is a Latina, the first Latina to ever be a United States Senator.
& a women.
Don’t lose hope, God is still working
— Quasi (@kamaquasi) November 9, 2016
amidst all of this, my brother just reminded me the first latina senator ever was elected last night. it keeps going. we keep fighting
— frida garza (@fffffrida) November 9, 2016
I am SUPER proud that CATHERINE CORTEZ is our very FIRST LATINA SENATOR!!! ?🏽?🏽?🏽 something done right this election!!!
— Rach? (@dinhlopez) November 9, 2016