Ken Mejia-Beal, a part of the LGBTQ+ community, has been elected chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County.
Mejia-Beal was the appointed vice-chair of governmental affairs for the same organization.
On his Facebook page, he posted on Oct. 30, "I want to say that WE have been successful today in OUR race for Chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County.
"I want to thank each and every one of the PCs that showed up to vote today and all of the folks that supported my candidacy. Your phone calls and text through the difficult times kept me in the race. Your persistence and strength kept me positive. This was never my moment, but our moment. We will celebrate this weekend BUT we have work to do. I look forward to growing this Party. I look forward to working with many of you and getting the job done. #OnYourTeam"
In a statement sent to Windy City Times, Mejia-Beal said, "DuPage County is the second-largest voting sector in Illinois, and I am proud to be the newly elected Chair. I am proud to usher in a new form of leading a Party, leading with transparency and full openness. I look forward to working with you all, as I strongly believe the media is a true ally to democracy. It is an honor to have been the youngest chair ever elected in DuPage County, the first chair of color in DuPage County, and the first openly LGBT chair in the State of Illinois. I do not take this honor lightly."
Mejia-Beal, a resident of Lisle, ran for the Illinois House (42nd District) last year. He was unable to unseat incumbent state Rep. Amy Grant in a close and controversial race that had her apologizing for anti-gay and racist remarks.