Tammy Baldwin becomes first openly gay senator

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Tammy Baldwin made history on Tuesday night by becoming the first openly gay woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Baldwin defeated her Republican challenger Tommy Thompson in the Wisconsin Senate race. The tightly contested race broke spending records in the state as outside groups pumped more than $30 million into the election.

“This night will go down in history,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. The group, dedicated to electing LGBT individuals, had repeatedly endorsed Baldwin.

“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,” Wolfe added. “Tonight Tammy shattered a glass ceiling that has existed for more than two centuries, and we could not be more thrilled.”

Baldwin became the first openly gay candidate to win election to the U.S. Congress as a freshman in 1998.