live feed

ELECTION 2010: Reid, Cicilline, Baldwin, Polis, Frank, WIN. Murphy, Whitman, Giannoulias, Skelton LOSE. GOP Owns House

With Marco Rubio picking up about half of Florida’s Senate votes, he knocks Gov. Charlie Crist out of elected office in the near term and keeps Kendrick Meek from, well, becoming a national figure anytime soon. His victory is being called a win for the Tea Party, which is sort of true, though it’d be foolish to ignore the establishment Republican base he mounted to remove Charlie Crist from the Republican slot. Lots more below, including the election of Congress’ fourth openly gay representative!

(Refresh for updates)

In Rhode Island, gay Providence Mayor David Cicilline will become the House’s fourth openly gay member, and the seventh in Congress’ history. Lincoln Chafee, an independent candidate who supports marriage equality, has won the governorship.

In Wisconsin, marriage equality supporter and uber-progressive Russ Feingold loses his Senate seat after three terms to buinsessman Ron Johnson. Lesbian Rep. Tammy Baldwin wins re-election with comfortable margins.

In Illinois, Republican Rep. Mark Kirk has won the Senate seat against HRC-backed candidate Alexi Giannoulias.

In Nevada, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid defeats Republican crazyhomophoberacistlady Sharron Angle in perhaps the closest race of the day. A major triumph for Dems on a night of so few.

In California, Meg Whitman has lost her $160 million bid for governor, with Democrat Jerry Brown winning his third non-consecutive term — and becoming the state’s oldest person ever elected to the office, as well as the state’s youngest (in 1974, at age 36 he won his first term). Sen. Barbara Boxer keeps her Senate seat.

The House will be controlled by Republicans. By how many remains to be seen. Rep. Nancy Pelosi will thus lose her speaker post.

In Iowa, all three State Supreme Court justices — David Baker, Michael Streit, and Marsha Ternus — facing a re-election battle headed by anti-gay groups like NOM and FRC have been voted out.

In Delaware Christine O’Donnell’s threat to the nation is dead with Chris Coon, the Democrat, cleaning up. Good thing she didn’t look at those polls.

New Hampshire’s Gov. John Lynch, who signed the state’s gay marriage bill into law, is expected to keep his seat.

In Kentucky, Rand Paul is expected to take more than half of the vote, beating Democrat Jack Conway.

In Connecticut, Democratic nominee Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will beat wrestling executive Linda McMahon for the governor’s mansion. Openly gay Kevin Lembo won the comptroller’s seat.

In New York, Democratic incumbents Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand are keeping their seats.

In Lexington, Kentucky, gay candidate Jim Gray was elected mayor.

In Guam, an unincorporated U.S. territory, openly gay Sen. Benjamin Cruz is keeping his seat. He is a former Guam Supreme Court justice.

In Missouri, Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton — who chairs Chair of the House Armed Services Committee and opposes repealing DADT — loses after seventeen terms; Rep. Vicky Hartzler ousts him.

In Maryland, Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley will be re-elected; a civil unions supporter, he’s strongly hinted promised to sign marriage equality legislation into law if it reaches his desk.

In Louisiana, homophobic Sen. David Vitter wins re-election.

In New York, Carl Paladino’s campaign is caput: Andrew Cuomo will take the governor’s race.

In Minnesota, Rep. Michele Bachmann wins a third term and is eying a new leadership post in the GOP-controlled House.

In Massachusetts, Democratic incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick keeps his seat. Rep. Barney Frank has beat GOPround-endorsed Sean Bielat to keep his House gig.

In Arizona, John McCain will keep his Senate seat.

In North Carolina, Marcus Brandon is elected to the State House, ticking the black and gay boxes.

In Colorado, Rep. Jared Polis has got another term.

In Kansas, openly gay West Point grad Dan Manning — who received death threats at home — is expected to lose his State House race.

In Pennsylvania, Iraq war vet and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal leader Rep. Patrick Murphy loses his House seat after two terms. Republican Mike Fitzpatrick will win. Pat Tooney beats Dem Joe Sestak in the Senate.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated