BERLIN (AP) — Berlin’s mayor broke ground 13 years ago by winning election after coming out as gay. Now a top candidate to succeed him wants to make history of his own: Palestinian-born Raed Saleh is seeking to become Berlin’s first immigrant mayor.

Saleh, who was born in the West Bank and came to Berlin at age 5, offers a story of social advancement he hopes will win over voters and set an example for others.