NEW YORK – A major election night ended with Democrat Ritchie Torres winning the South Bronx, now the 15^th District’s next congressman, and notably the first Afro-Latino gay congressman.

While it is one of the state’s bluest districts and a safe get for Democrats, it was also a groundbreaking moment in New York and national politics.

Torres told NY1’s Pat Kiernan Wednesday he remains “optimistic” that Joe Biden will win the presidency despite election results still trickling in, and that the millions of uncounted ballots could overwhelmingly favor the Democratic presidential candidate.

With a divided government more than possible, Torres said he will “have to fight even harder” to make changes. He said his highest priority is affordable housing.

“We all need housing stability, I would not be here today,” he said, of his experience on growing up in public housing which inspired him to run in politics.

Torres, who was elected to the City Council in 2013, replaces longtime representative José Serrano, who is retiring. He also beat several democratic opponents in the primary including Rubén Díaz Sr., who had a record of anti-LGBT rhetoric, which stood in stark opposition to Torres, an openly gay man.

When Torres was the head of the council’s oversight investigations committee, he sought to hold the taxi industry accountable for inflated medallion prices, and he also drafted a bill aimed at helping delivery workers earn better wages.

“I do not fit into the typical profile of a member of congress,” Torres said, noting he doesn’t come from a political family or have special political privilege.

He said his experience of “living in poverty, growing up in public housing, and struggling with depression” are lived experiences that will help inspire what he can achieve in Washington D.C.