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Darren Hauck / Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin celebrates her victory over former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson on Tuesday.
Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin became the first openly gay U.S. senator on Tuesday, defeating popular former Gov. Tommy Thompson, NBC News projected.
Jeffrey Phelps / AP
U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson gets hugs from supporters after conceding defeat.
Thompson, who served as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the administration of George W. Bush, retired from politics in his concession speech.
“I'm not going to run again,” Thompson, 70, who survived a divisive ideological primary, told supporters on Tuesday. “But I certainly am going to be supporting people to do the right things for the right reasons to build Wisconsin and build America.”
The Senate race was the most expensive in state history with the two candidates raising at least $65 million, Reuters reported.
Baldwin will take the seat of Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl, who is retiring after his fourth term.
Baldwin, 50, is a former Wisconsin assemblywoman who was first elected to Congress in 1998. With her projected victory, she also becomes the first female senator from Wisconsin.
Baldwin joined protesters at the state capital in Madison who objected to Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed curbing of collective bargaining rights for public workers.
Baldwin's sexual orientation wasn’t a major issue in the campaign.
Baldwin is expected to be replaced in the House by Democrat Mark Pocan, also an openly gay politician.
Baldwin promised to support investments in infrastructure, education and research to create jobs in her campaign. She also painted Thompson as favoring tax cuts for the wealthy.
Thompson argued that lower taxes, fewer regulations, large spending cuts and entitlement reform will boost the sluggish U.S. economy.
Reuters contributed to this report.
More election coverage from NBCNews.com:
- Obama wins re-election; Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin prove pivotal
- Democrats gain in Senate with wins in four states
- Rape remarks sink two Republican Senate hopefuls
- In costliest-ever Senate race, Warren beats Brown for Mass. seat
- Maine's Harley-riding King vowed to 'shake up' D.C.
- Republicans to maintain control of House, NBC News projects
- Colorado, Washington approve recreational marijuana use
- In 11 governor races, it's about jobs and taxes
- Majority of voters see American on wrong track
Follow NBC Politics on Twitter and Facebook
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This was a great night for America in general but there is something to be said for the LGBT community and Women. Not only did we have a large influx of Women in the Senate, and the first ever Gay Senator but also the two historic votes to legalize or stop movements to illegalize Gay Marriage.
It was also a great night for Democrats in the Senate. Hopefully the House and Senate Republicans will put aside their politics and work together with Obama and Democrats for the betterment of the nation instead of stonewalling against them for their own political gain. The time for partisan politics has well since passed, two years in fact, so it is time for the 113 to restore Congress' name and get to work.
Fan-freekin-tastic!!!!!!!!!! I'm a straight, white dude, damn near 60, from a Southern state, standing and applauding the awesomeness of the gains made tonight by my gay cousins!!! I just don't see this toothpaste going back into the tube. The anti-gay extremists can no longer say the people oppose gay equality. They will still fight for their cause, but it looks, quite possibly, I fervently hope, that critical mass has been reached. Americans, especially younger ones, are understanding that same-sex marriages threaten no one and build stronger, more wholesome families, and that is only good for our nation.
Ha, ha you crack me up. This will wind up being another 4 years wasted.
Tammy....it's about time...
WOW, Wisconsin confuses me..first McCarthyism, recently Scott Walker...and now this??? Proud of Wisconsin for Tammy and...
proud of Obama re-election
Now if we can just get the SCOTUS to rule all anti-gay state constitutional amendments unconstitutional, we will finally take the right step forward.
WE THE PEOPLE have spoken!! Never, ever, ever, bet against the Americans!!!! So many victories in so many ways-I'm just so happy..........
Hah, I didn't even know she's gay! My contributions to her campaign gave me a two-fer!
anti-trust,
that looks more likely now. Obama will have at leas two, if not three, Justice appointments.
Geowil ...(#1.8)...."anti-trust,
that looks more likely now. Obama will have at leas two, if not three, Justice appointments."
And we're gonna keep Borking them till he nominates someone that doesn't think The Constitution just keeps getting in the way of making the Federal Government All Powerful.....Which is exactly what it was written to do.
P.S. on Wisconsin....Remember the Pro-Taxpayer Bill and the Dems fleeing the State and all the Protests and then the recalls....Well as it turns out....Walker is still Governor, The Republicans added to the State Assembly and the Short-lived Democrat "majority" in a Senate that wasn't even in session, has gone back to a Republican Majority....
There are now (+1) 30 Republican Governors in the USA....30R-19D, with one left to decide in Washington State. Highest number for one party in 12 years....
That's the best you can do, dude?!
There were four votes, three to legalize marriage equality. The fourth vote prevented a ban from being incorporated into a state constitution, but didn't legalize marriage equality in that state. But, I'd count that as a victory coming on the heels of North Carolina's bigoted action last year.
For those of you who might be inclined to suggest that this election changed NOTHING, clinging as you do to hate and fear, consider this: Importantly, tonight Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of America, to serve through 2016.
Of equal importance, tonight Hillary Clinton was also elected President of the United States, to serve from 2016 through 2024...and there is no force on earth, none, which can preclude her ascendency.
Whatismore, tonight the Supreme Court began its unstoppable march toward progressivism. By the time Hillary departs the Oval Office, the Court will be a youthful Center-Left province, perhaps 6-3.
Sadly, it has become clear that the modern Republican Party no longer has a future at the national level, or at least for as long as they continue to ostracize the voices of compromise and moderation within their own ranks.
For the most part, with the possible exception of Ted Cruz and perhaps one or two others, those Tea Party candidates who didn't lose outright won by the slimmest of margins. Bachmann and West will likely go down within the hour.
Tonight, a majority of voters across the American political landscape chose Barack Obama and the Democrat agenda. The President won both the popular vote AND the Electoral College. The President's Senate majority increased. The Republican Party failed to expand its majority in the House.
This win was as decisive as it was overwhelming.
This election changed EVERYTHING.
Tammy wins....over Tommy Thompson...
Now WE ARE ALL GAY - happy, that is.
And for some of us, we're double gay, hehe...gay in both senses of the word.
I hope you're right. It's long past the time to resort to name calling, partisan politics, etc and work together for the people.
MSNBCME,How was Hilary Clinton elected as you stated? she announced that no matter who wins the presidency that she is stepping down form Secretary of State.She has already stated that sh is not considering running for president.
msnbcme, you are the part of the 51% that re-elected our Socialist Muslim President and no doubt you are gay. Capitalism has been the engine that has powered this nation into the greatest nation in the world and here you are embracing Socialism. I guess that's part of the reason we are in the situation we are in and deserve what we got! What has happened to this great nation?
p,
capitalism for the sake of capitalism, in other words capitalism without restraint, is just as dangerous as Socialism without restraint. Socialism is not Communism and pure Capitalism is not Fascism but they are moderate version of those two extremes.
There has never been a pure capitalist economy that has ever succeeded in the long term. They always collapse because greed weights the system down until the overall structure disintegrates and the country collapses.
We do not have a capitalist economy, China is the nation who has the most capitalist-like Economy policy in the world today. What we have here in America is closer to a mix of Socialism and Capitalism that reigns in the damages from the excesses that come from each prospective.
You can see the damages that a near pure Capitalist economic policy has in China; massive pollution, slave wages, trade wars, currency manipulation, and a collapsing economy.
We had our own taste of what an unrestrained capitalist economic policy can do. 2008 was that example. Funny that you are so eager to repeat history.
Exactly. Capitalism emphasizes the individual to the exclusion of the greater good. It doesn't have a mechanism to recapture societal benefits. For instance, it couldn't conceive/finance the Interstate Highway system because the tremendous benefits to drivers, businesses and the military can't be easily captured by one set of owners. The benefits are diffused throughout the economy.
I'm not advocating socialism over capitalism because I think that socialism tends to be inefficient and unresponsive. But, it is only fair to recognize that capitalism isn't perfect.
In a word:
Awesome!
I guess we will see a water fall of tear's soon.
Wow, thank you WI. And to the multiple states pushing EQUAL RIGHTS through, God bless you, deeply from my heart.
Big night for rights! In FL the citizens rejected Issue 1 that attacked Obamacare, Issue 6 that sought to block govt funding of abortion, Issue 8 taxpayer money going for religious schools - just a fantastic night. Wish we coulda got some more House seats to stop the obstruction, but I'm hoping the leaders of the GOP will stand up against Tea Party partisan malarkey! Get America moving even faster than she is!
Thank you God and America, sanity prevailed! I was also thrilled about 4 Senate races I'd been following, Claire McCaskill in MO (my home state), Tammy Duckworth in Ill, Elizabeth Warren in Mass and Sherrod Brown in Ohio. All this good and my husband and I didn't even get to vote! He became ill (he's disabled) so instead of going to vote we had to head for the hospital. He's doing fine but we're both brokenhearted that we didn't get to vote. It's the first time since we were married almost 52 years ago.
Oops, also meant to say a huge congrats to Tammy on her win! The time for gay bashing is long gone!!!
Hardly.
Why is this front page news?
Was she chosen for her sexual orientation?
Is her sexual orientation going to influence how she performs her job?
Going to answer your questions:
Because it's big news for LGBT... We're a small minority, but we stand strong, and we're f'in sick of being second class citizens.
Wisconsin? She wasn't chosen because of her sexual orientation.
How would her sexual orientation affect her job? Please, enlighten me!
Just a loud mouth that forced herself upon the blueturds to be their pick.
And the blueturds noticed this great loud mouth. "Wow, it's loud that thing there. I bet it will put the fear of God into those redturds." said some blueturd.
She wasn't elected because of her sexual orientation. Given the obvious backwoods thinking of many Americans...I'd say she was elected despite her sexual orientation. Good for her and any others caring and brave enough to serve! Who cares what her sexual orientation is!
Master,
you should really change your handle.
Geowil---- Yeah, to foulminded BIGOT of the Universe!! This person is so steeped in hate and extremist B.S., that they are an embarassment to the human race !! A huge and hearty CONGRATULATIONS, to Tammy Baldwin on her victory !!!!
This victory is one of several notable story lines from tonight's election. We need to work together to build on these strides so additional inroads are made next cycle.
I am so sick of hearing about gay this and gay that. Who cares whether Baldwin is gay or not? Is this woman competent? Is she going to work across the aisle? Or is she just going to focus on gay issues? Honestly, there have been so many gay people who are senators, military, comptroller and party big wigs - what's one more gay person and why the hell is that the signature component of this story and headline? Geez.
If you genuinely want a better understanding, then the first step is an open mind and heart. Given the tenor and context of your post, it seems that you aren't there.
You're obviously straight, which you didn't choose. Much like anyone who is gay/lesbian/etc didn't choose it.
It's hard being a minority.
And big fail on your comment... She is the first openly gay.
I am not sure where to start with this comment Pantload. When you write:
"Is this woman competent?" and "Or is she just going to focus on gay issues?", your insinuation would be that being homosexual and a women may cloud her judgement?
The reason it's a story; she is openly a lesbian and elected in spite of this where traditionally this would be something of an anathema for voters. It's progress, let's wait to see and judge on her record like every other single member of government.
Let's wait and see and judge her? What are you saying?!?!?! You don't think she has what it takes right off the bat?!?!?! Gay basher!
She has already proven herself as a House Representative, and that was probably what helped her win state-wide for the Senate. I hope her House seat remained in Democratic hands.
Wow time to move to a new country like Israel where they still have values. I mean having a @!$%# President bad enough but now perverts in charge with the slaves is intolerable.
i am sure there are plenty of us libs to help you pack your bible and camo & ammo so you can move.. bye
Ah, wzr, your bitterness is especially sweet this morning!
Don't let the border hit you on the way out.
I'm sure there are a lot of Newsvine posters who would gladly chip in to pay for your airline ticket to leave this great country whenever you are ready, hehe.
And that goes for MoU and all of the other people who feel that they have the right to deny other citizens (yes we gays are full citizens of this country the same as you, even though you want to deny us that status) of their full equal rights under the US Constitution.
See ya!
Wow. I smell a very strong, foul odor of troll.
Don't let the border hit you on the way out, indeed. Foul mouthed, sick minded people, like this are EXACTLY where the TEA-PARTY were concieved from, racist, bigoted, Anti-Americans, parading around as "TRUE PATRIOTS"!!!
Ah yes, bigotry rears its ugly head.
Since 1973, 50 million abortions and counting....6 trillion dollars debt in last 4 yrs with burden of Obamacare yet to come....legalization of pot....destruction of traditional marriage...turn from traditional Biblical values.....VICTORY!!!
I understand the history being made in Wisconsin. Finally! NO ONE should be judged by their sexual orientation, religous leanings or color of their skin. I am very happy to see any woman making inroads into the male dominated leadership of this country. Maybe with more women in charge this country can get moving again. Congratulations Ms. Baldwin on your win and Wisconsin on having the courage and decency to recognize her worth.
So proud of my state right now. Making history, the progressive way, since the early 1900's. On Wisconsin!
Love it! Madison has now become what is probably the most progressive/liberal city in the U.S., with a gay man taking Tammy's place in the House and Tammy becoming the first openly gay/lesbian Senator!
Anti-gay haters: GET OVER IT.
Your bigotry is on the way out.
You lost big time in this election.
Not to be celebrated. What an embarrassment. This is equivalent to a openly KKK member being elected to public office.
Maybe to you and your fellow tinfoil hat wearers it is. To people in the real world, it isn't any such thing. You may now continue grinding the three teeth that still remain down to the gum line. Heeheeeheeeeeeeee!
Let me guess. You voted for David Duke! Hell, your ideology is the same!
So now, famly members should be able to marry family members, rights? They love and are committed to one another. No different than the homosexuals.
Does someone have a crush on his brother?
Very proud of my birth state -- Wisconsin, you had me scared when you didn't recall that sleezeball Walker, but way to go tonight!
You know Walkeer was elected and then won his recall by even a bigger margin. Public Employee pensions are unstainable, he was elected and kept to that, if he over reaches on the social issues then he will get his a$$ kicked. Tammy Baldwin was the Madison Representive, representing the whole state will be a different thing and if she oversteps she will be a one term senator. I live in WI and I am a middle aged white guy, I voted for Obama twice, Baldwin once now and Walker twice. Not all of us let party identificaton determine who we vote for. Today the Republicans are the party of hate, but it can turn around, read a book now and then, it was Clinton who brought back the Democrats.
Is preventative AIDS vaccinations part of Obamacare? Oh that's right, a disease put upon the population by homosexual men doesn't have a cure. Thanks Gay community. Given your bigotted tendancies towards normal people, you bring nothing positive or good to the table.
Given your stunningly ignorant bogus knowledge of HIV, it's safe to say that you bring nothing positive or good to the table. I do think that you should start eating that big, heaping serving of crow that she just gave you. It will be there every day, for a long time to come, so start chowing down now.
Given your ignorance of history, it's no wonder you don't know the benefits that LGBT people in history have given to the world.
Who give a damn that she is gay !!! She just need to do the job of a senator and that all I care about. Also the new media and people in this country need to stop with the "B/S" THAT SHE OPENLY GAY. I'm very happy so many women won last night and we need many more to come forward because men are so stupid when it come to women issues in this country and how to deal with these issues.
who really gives a rats ass!
Wisconsin voted Obama for president and Ryan for a state representative.This makes no sense to me. I am glad to see that Wisconsin does not discriminate against people making them a very diverse population.
We're a purple state here, to be sure. I don't understand myself how Ryan keeps getting reelected because he hasn't been very good for his district, but the Janesville area is a lot more conservative than where I live.
And I'm absolutely delighted at Baldwin's win - she's a former classmate of mine, and a great legislator in the Feingold tradition.
The only downside to the election (and it's a big one) is that the GOP took back control of our state government. Walker will now continue to push through his teabagger agenda.
wzrdrcr Comment collapsed by the community
Israel Defense Forces policies allow gay men and lesbians to serve Long way to run just to get your @$$ B!TCH SLAPPED. Israel would put up with your racist scrap one minute.
A Gay Senator elected in Wisconsin, Marijuana approved in some localities of California, a Socialist Muslim President re-elected after a disastrous first term, and we wonder why we are in decline as a nation!
Sounds like we're gradually understanding that all Americans deserve equal rights.
At least everyone except clueless bigots now understands that.