Rep. Tammy Baldwin speaks at an HRC event in Dallas earlier this year.
In a huge Election Night victory for the LGBT community, Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is projected to become the first openly gay U.S. senator.
Shortly before 9 p.m. Dallas time, Fox News projected that Baldwin would defeat Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson in their Wisconsin Senate race.
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which made Baldwin’s race its top priority this year, confirmed the result a short time later.
“This night will go down in history,” Chuck Wolfe, CEO of the Victory Fund, said in a statement. “This is a historic victory not only for the people of Wisconsin, but for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans across the country who have finally gained an authentic and powerful voice in Congress’ upper chamber. Tonight Tammy shattered a glass ceiling that has existed for more than two centuries, and we could not be more thrilled.”
“As Tammy said earlier this morning when she stopped to vote in Madison, ‘The people who had faith that this was possible made it possible,’” Wolfe said. “So I want to thank her supporters for keeping the faith. Thank you for sticking with us and believing this community can achieve great things. We can, and we did. I also want to thank our remarkable partners at EMILY’s List, who have been tireless in fighting for Tammy’s election, and I want to congratulate the hundreds of volunteers and groups who worked so hard during this campaign.”
Chad Gibson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said: “Tammy Baldwin has always been a trailblazer, but with her victory tonight Senator-elect Baldwin has again earned her spot in the history books. As the first openly gay person elected to the United States Senate, Tammy Baldwin is a role model for LGBT youth and all young women across the country.
“With a relentless focus on the issues that matter most to Wisconsin voters — economic security, access to healthcare, and fairness and inclusion for all,” Gibson added. “As a result, she’s earned the respect of all her constituents, gay and straight. It was HRC’s privilege to be part of the broad coalition that helped ensure her victory, and we can’t wait to work with her and her team as she takes on this new role.”
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