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Pride 365 The Soundtrack of Pride - All Year Long
America’s Rainbow Wave: LGBTQ+ Candidates Make History in Sweeping Democratic Election Victories
Historic firsts, groundbreaking representation and victories from coast to coast mark a landmark night for LGBTQ+ political representation.
The results of Tuesday’s midterm elections delivered a stunning rebuke to Republicans and a sweeping victory for Democrats across the country. But beyond the shift in political power, November 3 will also be remembered as a landmark night for LGBTQ+ representation in American government.
From the halls of Congress to state legislatures and local government, openly LGBTQ+ candidates scored victories in races across the country. Several broke longstanding political barriers, becoming the first openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or nonbinary people to hold particular offices in their states or at the federal level.
Perhaps the most significant breakthrough came in New Hampshire, where voters elected the first openly gay man to the United States Senate. Meanwhile, historic victories in Georgia, Alabama, Michigan and Florida demonstrated the growing presence of LGBTQ+ elected officials well beyond the country’s traditional political strongholds.
Here is a look at some of the LGBTQ+ candidates whose victories made history on election night.
Historic victories in Washington
Chris Pappas – U.S. Senate, New Hampshire
One of the night’s biggest LGBTQ+ breakthroughs came from New Hampshire, where Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas defeated Republican John Sununu to win an open U.S. Senate seat. Pappas will become the first openly gay man elected to the United States Senate. His victory represents a milestone for LGBTQ+ visibility in one of the country’s most powerful legislative bodies. He previously served four terms in the House of Representatives.
Sarah McBride – U.S. House of Representatives, Delaware
Congresswoman Sarah McBride won reelection, securing a second term representing Delaware. McBride already made history in 2024 when she became the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. Congress. Her reelection is another important milestone, demonstrating that voters have once again chosen a transgender representative to serve at the highest levels of federal government.
Jeremy Moss – U.S. House of Representatives, Michigan
Michigan State Senator Jeremy Moss defeated Republican Ethan Baker to win the state’s 11th Congressional District. Moss will become the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Michigan. His election brings a longtime LGBTQ+ rights advocate to the federal legislature after years of public service in the Michigan Senate.
J.D. Ford – U.S. House of Representatives, Indiana
Democrat J.D. Ford pulled off one of the night’s notable upsets, defeating three-term Republican Representative Victoria Spartz. Ford will become the first openly gay person elected to Congress from Indiana. Previously a member of the Indiana State Senate, Ford’s victory marks a significant breakthrough for LGBTQ+ representation in a traditionally conservative state.
JoAnna Mendoza – U.S. House of Representatives, Arizona
Democrat JoAnna Mendoza defeated Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. An openly LGBTQ+ Marine veteran who served during the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell era, Mendoza brings a distinctive perspective shaped by her military service and personal experience. Her victory also helped Democrats flip a closely watched congressional seat.
Marni von Wilpert – U.S. House of Representatives, California
Bisexual Democrat Marni von Wilpert defeated Republican Jim Desmond in California’s 48th Congressional District. Previously serving on the San Diego City Council, von Wilpert will bring another openly LGBTQ+ voice to Congress. Her victory is particularly notable as she becomes one of the newest openly bisexual members of the House.
Sharice Davids – U.S. House of Representatives, Kansas
Congresswoman Sharice Davids secured a fifth term representing Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District. An openly lesbian Democrat and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, Davids has already made history as one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress and the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Kansas. Her reelection preserves that historic representation.
Ritchie Torres – U.S. House of Representatives, New York
Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres won a fourth term representing New York’s 15th Congressional District. Torres made history as the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress and was among the first openly gay Black men elected to the House. His continued service maintains an important voice representing multiple historically underrepresented communities.
Robert Garcia – U.S. House of Representatives, California
Openly gay Congressman Robert Garcia won reelection in California’s 42nd Congressional District. Garcia is expected to become chair of the powerful House Oversight Committee as Democrats assume control of the chamber. His victory gives an openly gay lawmaker a potentially influential leadership position in one of Congress’ most consequential committees.
Mark Takano – U.S. House of Representatives, California
Congressman Mark Takano won an eighth term representing California’s 39th Congressional District. First elected in 2012, Takano made history as the first openly gay person of color elected to Congress. He has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and serves as chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus.
Emily Randall – U.S. House of Representatives, Washington
Congresswoman Emily Randall won reelection in Washington’s 6th Congressional District. First elected in 2024, Randall made history as the first LGBTQ+ Latina elected to Congress. Her reelection ensures that this groundbreaking representation continues into another term.
Becca Balint – U.S. House of Representatives, Vermont
Congresswoman Becca Balint won a third term representing Vermont. Balint was the first woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to represent Vermont in Congress. As a co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, she has also become a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ equality in Washington.
Eric Sorensen – U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois
Former television meteorologist Eric Sorensen won a third term representing Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. Sorensen made history in 2022 as the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Illinois. His reelection continues that representation in a state with a growing LGBTQ+ congressional delegation.
Mark Pocan – U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin
Congressman Mark Pocan secured an eighth term representing Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District. One of the longest-serving openly LGBTQ+ members of Congress, Pocan has spent years advocating for equality and progressive policy priorities.
Malcolm Kenyatta – Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta won a fifth term representing the state’s 181st District. Kenyatta made history in 2018 as the first openly gay Black person elected to the Pennsylvania legislature. He is also a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and continues to be a prominent national political figure.
Transgender and nonbinary representation breaks new ground
Bentley Hudgins – Georgia House of Representatives
Democrat Bentley Hudgins defeated Republican Samantha Boston in Georgia’s 90th House District. Hudgins will become Georgia’s first openly transgender and nonbinary state lawmaker. A longtime Democratic organizer, Hudgins campaigned on issues including housing, wages, transportation and improving underserved communities. The victory represents a particularly significant milestone for transgender and nonbinary representation in the Deep South.
Allison Montgomery – Alabama House of Representatives
In another major breakthrough, Democrat Allison Montgomery defeated Republican incumbent Phillip Rigsby in Alabama’s 25th House District. Montgomery will become Alabama’s first transgender state legislator. A software engineer who emphasized affordability and economic issues during her campaign, Montgomery’s victory marks a historic moment in a state where transgender rights have been the subject of intense political debate.
Joanna Whaley – Michigan House of Representatives
Michigan voters elected Joanna Whaley, who will become the first openly transgender member of the Michigan House of Representatives. Her victory was part of an extraordinary election night for LGBTQ+ candidates in Michigan, where all nine openly LGBTQ+ legislative candidates won their respective races.
DeShanna Neal – Delaware House of Representatives
Nonbinary State Representative DeShanna Neal won reelection to Delaware’s 13th House District. Neal originally made history in 2022 as Delaware’s first nonbinary elected official. Their continued service represents another important step toward greater gender diversity in elected government.
Zooey Zephyr – Montana House of Representatives
Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr won another term representing the state’s 95th House District. Zephyr became Montana’s first openly transgender state legislator and gained national attention in 2023 after Republican lawmakers barred her from the House floor following her outspoken opposition to anti-transgender legislation. Her reelection ensures that she will continue representing her constituents and advocating for transgender rights.
Leigh Finke – Minnesota House of Representatives
Minnesota voters reelected State Representative Leigh Finke to a third term. Finke made history as Minnesota’s first openly transgender state legislator and has become a leading voice for transgender equality, including efforts to protect access to gender-affirming healthcare.
More LGBTQ+ victories across the country
Maura Healey – Governor, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey defeated Republican Mike Minogue to secure a second term. Healey, one of the first openly lesbian governors in American history, previously made history in 2014 as the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to statewide office in Massachusetts. Her reelection continues that groundbreaking leadership.
Tina Kotek – Governor, Oregon
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also secured a second term, defeating Republican Christine Drazan. Kotek made history in 2022 as one of the first openly lesbian women elected governor in the United States. Her reelection keeps another openly LGBTQ+ leader in a state’s highest elected office.
Ann Johnson – Texas House of Representatives
Texas State Representative Ann Johnson won a fourth term representing Houston’s 134th House District. The openly lesbian Democrat secured another victory despite repeated political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights in Texas. Her district includes Houston’s historic Montrose LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
Jessica Benham – Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Bisexual Pennsylvania State Representative Jessica Benham won a fourth term representing the state’s 36th District. Benham made history in 2020 as the first openly LGBTQ+ woman and the first autistic person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. She is also a prominent disability rights advocate.
Claire Snyder-Hall – Delaware House of Representatives
Openly lesbian Delaware State Representative Claire Snyder-Hall won reelection to a second term representing the state’s 14th District. A longtime democracy advocate, Snyder-Hall continues to add to Delaware’s growing representation of LGBTQ+ leaders in state and federal government.
Kim Ahern – Rhode Island Attorney General
Democrat Kim Ahern defeated Republican Alan Gordon to become Rhode Island’s next attorney general. Ahern will make history as the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to statewide office in Rhode Island. She will also become the state’s first woman and first mother to serve as attorney general. Her election marks a significant breakthrough in a state that has never before elected an openly LGBTQ+ candidate to statewide office.
Quinnie Pérez – Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District, Florida
In a significant local victory for Florida, openly transgender woman Quinnie Pérez won a seat on the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District Board. Pérez will become the first openly transgender woman elected to public office in Florida. Her victory is especially notable given the state’s increasingly hostile political environment toward transgender residents. The nonpartisan volunteer board works on conservation and responsible management of local soil and water resources.
A rainbow wave with lasting significance
The significance of Tuesday’s election extends well beyond the individual victories. LGBTQ+ candidates won races in states with very different political climates, from Massachusetts and California to Alabama, Georgia, Indiana and Florida.
The results also challenge the notion that LGBTQ+ candidates can only succeed in heavily Democratic districts or traditionally progressive states. Several candidates won competitive races, flipped Republican-held seats and broke political barriers in places where openly LGBTQ+ representation has historically been limited.
For transgender and nonbinary Americans in particular, the victories of candidates like Bentley Hudgins, Allison Montgomery and Joanna Whaley represent meaningful progress at a time when transgender people have been at the center of increasingly intense political debates.
And while representation alone does not guarantee policy outcomes, having LGBTQ+ people in elected office brings perspectives and lived experiences that have too often been absent from the rooms where decisions affecting our community are made.
The blue wave may have changed the balance of power in Washington and state capitals across America. But the rainbow wave made something else clear: LGBTQ+ Americans aren’t simply participating in the political process. They’re winning, breaking barriers and taking their seats at the table.
For a community that has spent generations fighting to be seen, heard and represented, November 3, 2026, will be remembered as a night when history was made in communities across the country.
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