Jared Polis Wins In Colorado, Making Him First Openly Gay Man Elected Governor

The five-term congressman defeated Republican state Treasurer Walker Stapleton.
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Colorado voters elected Jared Polis on Tuesday, making him the first openly gay man elected governor in the United States, NBC and ABC reported.

The five-term congressman defeated Republican state Treasurer Walker Stapleton, a second cousin of President George W. Bush.

Polis, 43, is a member of the center-left New Democrat Coalition, supporting single-payer health care and marijuana decriminalization. In 2017, he launched the Cannabis Caucus in Congress.

The five-term congressman defeated Republican state Treasurer Walker Stapleton.
The five-term congressman defeated Republican state Treasurer Walker Stapleton.
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Earlier in the year, Polis talked about the historic nature of his candidacy and said his victory would give Colorado “an opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of Mike Pence, whose view of America is not as inclusive as where America is today.”

Beyond his landmark victory as a gay man, securing the governorship in Colorado puts a damper on Republicans’ hopes of turning the key swing state red in the 2020 presidential election.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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