CO-2: Openly Gay Man Wins Congressional Primary Election

Jared Polis (right) with partner Marlon Reis

What is going on in Colorado? They have selected a 33-year-old openly gay man to be the first non-incumbent openly gay person elected to Congress.


Milllionaire online card entrepeneur Jared Polis placed first in the Democratic primary of the 2nd Congressional district to replace U.S. Representative Mark Udall, who is likely to become the next U.S. Senator from Colorado. Polis spent upwards of $5.3 million to outspend multiple primary opponents, such as Joan Fitz-Gerald, a former Colorado State Senate president who was a strong straight legislative ally, and Will Shafroth, who had been endorsed by Denver's two major newspapers. Most of Colorado's LGBT activists (including its most famous Tim Gill) had previously endorsed Fitz-Gerald.

Polis is almost certain to be elected in a district that includes Boulder and has twice as many registered Democrats than Republicans (both of whom are outnumbered by Independents). He will become the first openly gay Congressperson in Colorado and the third openly gay member of Congress, joining Massachusetts' Barney Frank and Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin.