The odds of electing a gay candidate. [View all]

I was privileged to have Tammy Baldwin as my congressperson when I moved to Wisconsin in 2000. She is openly gay. Her district included Madison, which is very liberal.

In 2012 a Senate seat opened up when Herb Kohl retired. I was skeptical that Baldwin could win a statewide race. Wisconsin is a 50:50 state and the notion that she would get a majority of the vote did not seem plausible.

But she ran and she won. She won in 2012, 2018, and 2024. When somebody tries to make an issue of her sexuality it just falls flat. She cares about the issues that matter to people in this state and she represents everyone. She has town halls. She is honest. She is intelligent and well-spoken.

I am glad I was wrong. I am glad that fear did not hold her back. Sometimes people will surprise you.