Small Oregon Town
Elects Trans Mayor

A small town in southeast Oregon elected possibly the nation's first openly transgender mayor on Tuesday. Silverton, a small city with a population of 7,414, according to the U.S. Census, elected Stu Rasmussen as its mayor. He won by a hefty 13-point margin against 16-year incumbent Ken Hector.

Rasmussen served as mayor in the 1990s before he transitioned. He told KGW TV that he became comfortable coming out as transgender only a few years ago. "I identify mostly as a heterosexual male," he said. "But I just like to look female."

The mayor-elect said any unease that voters may have initially felt with Rasmussen was quelled once he started campaigning. "[We] got down to discussing whatever the issue is -- city business or whatever -- and they figure out, This guy's different, but he knows what he's talking about." (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)