Meet 'Danica', America's first elected transgender (male-to-female) politician
Marshall had run on a social conservative platform that was ardently pro-family and anti-LGBT rights. He once called himself Virginia's "chief homophobe."
In January, he proposed a "bathroom bill" that would prevent transgender individuals from using public bathrooms that conform to their preferred gender identity, according to the Independent Journal Review.
He authored Virginia's one-man, one-woman Marriage Amendment, which was approved by voters in 2006 but ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2014.
"The natural marriage relationship of man and woman predates all religions. A society which values eating natural foods, drinking pure water, and protecting our natural environment would do well to recognize and respect the self-evident design in Nature which allows for the continuance of the human race by the union of man and woman," Marshall's campaign website read.
Marshall had refused to debate Roem during the election, according to The Washington Post.
Roem, who was born a man but now identifies as a woman, said Marshall's views on LGBT issues were a disqualifier.
"Discrimination is a disqualifier," Roem said as it became clear victory was in sight. "This is about the people of the 13th District disregarding fear tactics, disregarding phobias ... where we celebrate you because of who you are, not despite it."
Roem will join the Virginia House of Delegates as a career journalist who spent nine years working for the Gainesville Times and covering education policy and local politics.
Roem also sings as a member of a thrash metal band, according to Pitchfork.
"Just because I sing in a heavy metal band while spinning my head in circles and getting paid to do it, why can't I run for government? Why would I have to change who I am in order to run for government? I've already had to go through transformative change," Roem told Vice earlier this year.
Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told The Washington Post that Roem's election victory shows the tide is changing in Virginia.
"Virginia has changed so rapidly over the past 20 years. It's gone from a state where no politician would dare to condemn the Confederacy to a state where a suburban district would elect a transgender candidate," Farnsworth said. "The Old Dominion gives way to a very different New Dominion."
The New York Times took note of the "symbolism" of Roem defeating an anti-LGBT politician.
Many on Twitter celebrated Roem's victory.
After his defeat, Marshall pledged to continue fighting.
"For 26 years I've been proud to fight for you, and fight for our future," he said in a concession message posted to Facebook. "I'm committed to continue the fight for you, but in a different role going forward."
Irony...he / she / it haz it...