Kyrsten Sinema first openly bisexual person elected to the U.S. Senate

Democrat Rep. Kyrsten Sinema was declared the winner tonight in the U.S. Senate race in Arizona, becoming the first openly bisexual person elected to the U.S. Senate and just the second openly LGBTQ person ever elected to the body.

Sinema, who represents Arizona’s 9th Congressional District, defeated anti-LGBTQ Republican Martha McSally in a closely watched race. Sinema’s victory flips the open seat of retiring Republican Sen. Jeff Flake.

Shortly after the race was called in her favor, Sinema Tweeted that she will be “an independent voice for all Arizonans.”

As long as I’ve served Arizona, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity & find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to representing our great state in the Senate, where I’ll be an independent voice for all Arizonans.

Thank you, Arizona. Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/iX6u6VQ9bQ

— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) November 13, 2018

 

Sinema first made history in 2012, when she became the first openly bisexual person elected to Congress as a member of the House of Representatives.

That same year, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) made history as the first openly gay or lesbian person elected to the U.S. Senate. Baldwin won re-election Tuesday night.

Sinema and Baldwin join eight other openly LGBTQ people who won their races for U.S. Congress – a historic number. Only seven openly LGBTQ members currently serve in Congress.

Here are three other winners from the election.:

Jared Polis became the first gay man elected governor in the United States.

Sharice Davids became the first lesbian Native American woman elected to Congress.

Katie Hill was elected the first LGBTQ Congresswoman from California.