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 emphasized that she defined herself as more than a lesbian, stating “I didn’t run to make history; I ran to make a difference,” then emphasizing 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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