Colorado Democrat Jared Polis becomes first openly gay man ever elected governor

Democrat Jared Polis has won the Colorado governor's race, defeating Republican Walker Stapleton, NBC News and ABC News project.

Polis is the first openly gay man ever elected as governor in the United States. He is now serving in the House of Representatives, representing Colorado's 2nd Congressional District.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) became the first openly bisexual governor in U.S. history when she succeeded Democrat John Kitshaber in 2015, upon his resignation. When she won her 2016 special election, Brown became the first openly LGBTQ person elected as a U.S. governor. In 2004, after being elected, former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey (D) announced he was gay.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up