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Tammy Baldwin wins in Wisconsin as voters elect first openly gay senator Tammy Baldwin wins in Wisconsin as voters elect first openly gay senator
(30 days later)
Voters in Wisconsin broke through one of the last barriers in public life on Tuesday to elect the first openly gay member of the US Senate.Voters in Wisconsin broke through one of the last barriers in public life on Tuesday to elect the first openly gay member of the US Senate.
Tammy Baldwin, 50, a liberal Democrat from the college town of Madison, narrowly defeated Tommy Thompson, 70, in a nasty, divisive and expensive – $65m – Senate race.Tammy Baldwin, 50, a liberal Democrat from the college town of Madison, narrowly defeated Tommy Thompson, 70, in a nasty, divisive and expensive – $65m – Senate race.
Her victory helped Democrats keep control of the Senate.Her victory helped Democrats keep control of the Senate.
It also assumes huge symbolic importance for the lesbian and gay community and for the left in Wisconsin, which had been beaten down in a series of battles with the state's Republican governor.It also assumes huge symbolic importance for the lesbian and gay community and for the left in Wisconsin, which had been beaten down in a series of battles with the state's Republican governor.
"Tonight we have won a huge victory for Wisconsin," Baldwin said as the ballroom erupted in cheers and the clattering of cowbells."Tonight we have won a huge victory for Wisconsin," Baldwin said as the ballroom erupted in cheers and the clattering of cowbells.
Baldwin in her victory speech said she would be a champion for the middle class.Baldwin in her victory speech said she would be a champion for the middle class.
"I am well aware that I will have the honour to be Wisconsin's first woman US senator," Baldwin before she was drowned out by a roar from the crowd."I am well aware that I will have the honour to be Wisconsin's first woman US senator," Baldwin before she was drowned out by a roar from the crowd.
"And I am well aware that I will be the first openly gay member of the United States Senate, but I didn't run to make history. I ran to make a difference."And I am well aware that I will be the first openly gay member of the United States Senate, but I didn't run to make history. I ran to make a difference.
"But in choosing me to tackle those problems the people of Wisconsin have made history.""But in choosing me to tackle those problems the people of Wisconsin have made history."
In another rights victory, Maine and Maryland voted to grant same sex couples the same rights as straight couples.In another rights victory, Maine and Maryland voted to grant same sex couples the same rights as straight couples.
Baldwin is the first woman to be elected to the Senate from Wisconsin. With her election, there will be 18 women members of the Senate, a new record.Baldwin is the first woman to be elected to the Senate from Wisconsin. With her election, there will be 18 women members of the Senate, a new record.
"Oh my God, to have Tammy Baldwin in the US Senate!" said Katie Belanger, the executive director of Fair Wisconsin, a civil rights organisation. "For me, having someone who is out and truly represents Wisconsin is incredible. I don't even know that I have the words.""Oh my God, to have Tammy Baldwin in the US Senate!" said Katie Belanger, the executive director of Fair Wisconsin, a civil rights organisation. "For me, having someone who is out and truly represents Wisconsin is incredible. I don't even know that I have the words."
On the campaign trail, however, Baldwin's sexual orientation barely registered with voters, although she has been out since she first entered politics. Baldwin herself insisted it was not a major factor in the race.On the campaign trail, however, Baldwin's sexual orientation barely registered with voters, although she has been out since she first entered politics. Baldwin herself insisted it was not a major factor in the race.
Baldwin served 14 years in the House of Representatives, earning a reputation as one of the most liberal members of the Democratic party. She helped write write portions of Obama's healthcare plan, and voted for a climate change law. Both positions made her a target for Republicans.Baldwin served 14 years in the House of Representatives, earning a reputation as one of the most liberal members of the Democratic party. She helped write write portions of Obama's healthcare plan, and voted for a climate change law. Both positions made her a target for Republicans.
She entered the race as an underdog against Thompson, who is seen as a father figure by many in Wisconsin after a quarter century in public life.She entered the race as an underdog against Thompson, who is seen as a father figure by many in Wisconsin after a quarter century in public life.
Thompson, a four-term governor, was an old-style politician, incapable of leaving any hand unshaken. Baldwin does better talking to small groups or one-on-one, her supporters say. She spent election day at a pot-luck lunch in west Madison, and then huddled at home with her family watching the results.Thompson, a four-term governor, was an old-style politician, incapable of leaving any hand unshaken. Baldwin does better talking to small groups or one-on-one, her supporters say. She spent election day at a pot-luck lunch in west Madison, and then huddled at home with her family watching the results.
But she was buoyed by support from national LGBT groups and environmental organisations, who poured money into her campaign, enabling her to keep her ads on the air.But she was buoyed by support from national LGBT groups and environmental organisations, who poured money into her campaign, enabling her to keep her ads on the air.
In negative ads and in campaign appearances, she cast Thompson – who has spent the last 12 years as a lobbyist – as a hostage of the healthcare industry.In negative ads and in campaign appearances, she cast Thompson – who has spent the last 12 years as a lobbyist – as a hostage of the healthcare industry.
Thompson labelled her as an "ultra-liberal" in his ads.Thompson labelled her as an "ultra-liberal" in his ads.
Baldwin, in an interview the last weekend of the race, said: "I think like many elections it's coming down to some very basic questions. Voters are asking whose side are these candidates on."Baldwin, in an interview the last weekend of the race, said: "I think like many elections it's coming down to some very basic questions. Voters are asking whose side are these candidates on."
On the night, Baldwin made a point of reaching out to voters who supported her opponent, telling a story about how Thompson, who knew her father in college, had been unfailingly cordial.On the night, Baldwin made a point of reaching out to voters who supported her opponent, telling a story about how Thompson, who knew her father in college, had been unfailingly cordial.
In the end, however, Baldwin may also have been carried across the finish line by a solid base of supporters in Madison.In the end, however, Baldwin may also have been carried across the finish line by a solid base of supporters in Madison.
"She's our girl," said Kate Peyton, who worked on Baldwin's first campaign for Congress in 1998. "We raised money, we knocked on doors, we fed volunteers.""She's our girl," said Kate Peyton, who worked on Baldwin's first campaign for Congress in 1998. "We raised money, we knocked on doors, we fed volunteers."
She went on: "The culture has changed a lot. I just think there has been a sea change in how OK it is to be queer," Peyton said. "On the other hand, it never happened before."She went on: "The culture has changed a lot. I just think there has been a sea change in how OK it is to be queer," Peyton said. "On the other hand, it never happened before."
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