In Erie, local politics is practical before it is historic

ERIE, Pennsylvania — Tyler Titus attracted a considerable amount of national attention two weeks ago when the city school board president narrowly won the Democratic Party primary for county executive here. The attention came not because the race was close but because Titus’s win marked a first for an openly transgender candidate for office to come this close to a countywide executive office.

ERIE — The coast along Presque Isle in Erie County, where millions of tourist flock to every summer to enjoy the beaches as well as biking, skiing, kayaking and fishing.

The LGBTQ Victory Fund, which had endorsed Titus, raised over $33,000 for the candidate, and provided campaign advice, said of the win, “Tyler’s primary victory amplifies the disconnect between voters who are embracing qualified trans leaders and the bigoted politicians who attack trans people for their own perceived political gain.”