Rosemary Ketchum Becomes First Openly Trans Elected Official in W.V.a

History was made in Wheeling last Tuesday with the election of West Virginia’s first openly trans public official. 

Rosemary Ketchum is now the City Council Member-Elect for the city of Wheeling’s third ward, an area that includes South Wheeling, Center Wheeling, East Wheeling, and Mozart.

Ketchum, a 26 year old community organizer and mental health advocate, won the seat by 15 votes to become the state’s first openly trans person to be elected to public office.

In a video shared to her Twitter, Ketchum said she’s grateful for the support she’s been getting since being elected, and is excited to get to work.

“We don’t run for office to make history, we run for office to make a difference, and I guess if history is made in the process, so be it,” she said.

Ketchum will be sworn into Wheeling City Council on July 1st.