U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin: “I Ran to Make a Difference.” The first openly gay U.S. Senator, Baldwin was elected by Wisconsin voters in 2012. Upon her election, Baldwin stressed that she defined herself by more than just her sexual orientation. As she said, “I didn’t run to make history; I ran to make a difference,” reiterating her support for all citizens of Wisconsin, including families, seniors, and veterans. Her election is certainly a historic one, but it also demonstrates that sexual orientation is not the only characteristic that voters consider.
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