Erica Deuso
Erica Deuso | |
|---|---|
| Mayor-elect of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Phil Dague |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 27, 1980 |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | Drexel University (MBA) |
Erica Michelle Deuso (born August 27, 1980) is an American politician. On November 4, 2025, she was elected as the mayor of Downingtown, becoming the first openly transgender mayor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[1]
Career
[edit]Deuso works as a personnel and process quality manager (PPQME) for Johnson & Johnson.[2]
She serves on the Chester County Democratic Committee. She also serves on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Equality Project.[2] Deuso also sits on the board of Emerge Pennsylvania, an organization that promotes women political candidates.[3]
In May 2025, she won the Democratic Party's primary for the mayoral race for Downingtown, a town in Chester County west of Philadelphia, defeating fellow Democrat Barry Cassidy.[2] Deuso ran against Republican Richard Bryant in the general election, which she won with 64% of the vote, becoming the first openly transgender person elected mayor in Pennsylvania.[4][5]
Personal life
[edit]Deuso is originally from South Burlington, Vermont.[2] She is a graduate of South Western High School in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She has multiple degrees, including an masters degree in business administration, from Drexel University,[2] after moving to Downingtown in 2007.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Riedel, Samantha (November 5, 2025). "Erica Deuso Makes Trans History, Elected as Pennsylvania Mayor". Them. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Erica Deuso wins Downingtown's Democratic mayoral primary, will face Republican Richard Bryant". WHYY-FM. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May 21, 2025. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ Badr, Basio (November 5, 2025). "Erica Deuso's Historic Run Focuses on Pennsylvania' Community Bonds". Emegypt. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Downingtown elects Erica Deuso, Pennsylvania's first openly transgender mayor". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 5, 2025. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ Cooper, Kenny (November 5, 2025). "Downingtown elects Pennsylvania's first openly transgender mayor". WHYY-FM. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on November 10, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.