Danica Roem is an accomplished American journalist and politician. She is famous for serving in the Virginia House of Delegates. Her political party is the Democratic party. She made history in the 2017 elections as the first openly transgender person elected to the Virginia General Assembly. Transitioning from the Virginia House of Delegates to the Virginia Senate, she continued her groundbreaking journey, securing another historic victory in 2023 as the first openly transgender state senator elected in Virginia and the Southern United States.
Danica Roem, an American politician, made history in 2017 as the first openly transgender person elected to the Virginia General Assembly. Transitioning to the Virginia Senate, she secured another historic victory in 2023, becoming the first openly transgender state senator elected in Virginia and the Southern United States.
Danica Roem, born on September 30, 1984, hails from Manassas, Virginia, USA. Danica Anthony Roem is her birth name. She is American by nationality and her ethnicity is American-White. About her family, she is the daughter of her father, John Paul Roem, and her mother, Marian. Her father died by suicide when she was three years old leading her maternal grandfather, Anthony Oliveto, to serve as a father figure.
Roem's educational journey included Loch Lomond Elementary School, All Saints School, Paul VI Catholic High School, and St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York, where she pursued journalism. With a ten-and-a-half-year career in journalism, she began as a reporter for the Gainesville Times in 2006, earning accolades from the Virginia Press Association seven times. Transitioning to public service, she ran for office, leveraging her extensive policy knowledge gained from her journalism career.
Danica Roem's entry into politics was spurred by President George W. Bush's 2004 proposal to ban same-sex marriage, prompting her curiosity about government operations and the potential for change. Recruited by the local Democratic Party, particularly by Delegate Rip Sullivan, she ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017, challenging 13-term incumbent Republican Bob Marshall, a self-proclaimed "chief homophobe." Endorsed by various organizations, Roem raised $500,000, mostly from LGBTQ+ supporters, enabling her to out-raise Marshall threefold.
Despite facing transphobic discrimination, including personal attacks on her gender identity, Roem focused her campaign on traffic issues in the district. She emerged victorious, becoming the first openly transgender person to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, prioritizing economic and transportation issues in her platform. In the 2019 election cycle, she faced Republican Kelly McGinn, emphasizing her vote to expand Virginia's Medicaid program and commitment to alleviating traffic on Route 28.
On November 5, 2019, Roem secured victory, marking her as the first openly transgender state legislator to be re-elected. In the 2021 Virginia House of Delegates election, she confronted Republican Christopher Stone and emerged triumphant on November 2, 2021. Continuing her political journey, Roem ran as the Democratic candidate for Senate District 30 in the 2023 elections against Republican Bill Woolf. Roem secured another historic win on November 7, 2023, becoming the first openly transgender state senator elected in Virginia and the Southern United States.
As of now, Danica Roem is not married and does not have a husband, but she is currently in a relationship with a man whose name or identity has not been revealed. Living together, she and her boyfriend, who has a daughter, are evidently content and savoring their present life together. She has been active in her stepdaughter's public school board.
Danica Roem, a skilled politician, has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2023. Her main source of wealth comes from her political career. She is making her annual salary of over $500K as of now. Drawing a substantial annual salary, she leads a comfortable and cool lifestyle, reflecting the fruits of her dedication and success in the realm of politics.
Danica Roem is a beautiful politician. Standing tall at the perfect height of 180 cm (5 feet 11 inches), she has a body weight of around 62 kg (137 lbs). Her captivating features include dark brown hair and brown eyes, enhancing her overall appeal and presence. She has a slim physique and with healthy body.
Danica Roem's passion for journalism was deeply rooted in her childhood, as her grandfather imparted the importance of knowledge through daily newspaper reading, stating, "the basis of my knowledge comes from reading the newspaper every day." This formative influence motivated Roem to pursue a career in journalism, where she dedicated ten and a half years to the craft, leveraging her commitment to information and storytelling.
In 2012, Danica Roem began her gender transition, undergoing hormone replacement therapy in 2013. Despite challenges with gender dysphoria in college, she persevered, winning her university's gender buster award and officially changing her name to Danica in 2015. During her political campaign, her opponent Bob Marshall discriminated against her, misgendering and making derogatory remarks. Roem responded resiliently, emphasizing that her identity shouldn't be the focus. Proud of her trans identity, she strives to create a comfortable environment and emphasizes celebrating her identity without compromise.
Danica Roem's interest in politics was sparked by her fervent dedication to advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Motivated by a desire to combat discrimination and champion equality, Roem found a platform in politics to address the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Her commitment to fostering inclusivity and social justice has driven her political journey, where she has not only overcome adversity but has also become a trailblazer in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Danica Roem, with diverse interests, was the vocalist in the thrash metal band Cab Ride Home, a passion that began in high school as a form of rebellion. The band, where she played a pivotal role, performed 120 shows and toured in the United Kingdom. During her political campaign, her Republican opponent criticized her "eccentric music videos," claiming they made her "out of touch with the district's suburban sensibilities." Despite this, Roem's musical background showcases her multifaceted nature beyond politics.