El Paso, Texas — Texans have elected their first openly lesbian lawmaker: Mary Gonzalez will represent El Paso in the state house next year.

"I feel excited to be part of making history, but I also think it's important that we talk about issues during this race, and I didn't make it only about my identity but made it about education and about water and about roads," Gonzalez told the Dallas Voice.

She replaces retiring Rep. Chente Quintillia.

Gonzalez is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for allgo, Texas' state-wide Queer People of Color organization.

She is 28.