Gay republican senator
Oscar Lakowicz
He/Him
Contributor
5/1/25
Chris Pappas made history back in 2019 when he was elected as the first openly queer congressman from New Hampshire. Pappas has been serving his community for over twenty years, first entering the New Hampshire Property of Representatives in 2002 and serving until 2006. Pappas later became the Treasurer of Hillsborough County serving in the role for four years. Later in 2013, Pappas became a member of the executive council.
Following Jeanne Shaheen’s announcement that she would not be inquiring re-election in the US Senate, Representative Pappas posthaste announced his bid. Pappas is currently the only Democrat who has officially announced a bid for the seat. Although candidates still have a while to jump into the race, many prominent names have already sworn off running.
One competitive label Democrats feared may generate an unfortunate return was Chris Sununu. Sununu formerly served as New Hampshire Governor for four consecutive terms before announcing he would not be searching re-election in 2024. His decision to not look for re-election did not approach as a surprise to many, with some speculating that he may be getting ready for a US Senate race. On
Groundbreaking wins marked the 2024 general election with historic firsts. The new Home of Representatives will be sworn in on January 3, 2025, at noon. This date marks the beginning of the 119th Congress. The history-makers include:
Sarah McBride (D-DE)
Sarah McBride was already the highest-ranking transgender elected official in the United States when she won her election in November 2020 to be the country’s first openly transgender declare senator. With her historic win in the election for Delaware’s at-large congressional district will also be the first out LGBTQ person elected to Congress from Delaware.
Following the election but prior to her swearing-in, the House, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) accompanying a series of anti-transgender attacks by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), banned transitioned people from using single-sex bathrooms on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity.
McBride responded with a post on X: “I’m not here to combat about bathrooms, I’m here to brawl for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will shadow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them. This strive to distract from the rea
A gay Missouri Republican defied his party on only one issue — but it price him his House seat
For the first time in four years, Missouri Rep. Chris Sander won’t see his name on the ballot this Election Day.
The Republican from Lone Jack — one of the only openly gay Republicans in the mention legislature — lost his reelection bid in the August primary.
“They, basically, in the legislature, need everybody gay or LGBT to get out of Missouri, quit here and don't ever approach back,” Sander said. “If they could pass every law that they wrote and sponsored and referred and had hearings on, then it would be a horrible place to be.”
Sander confused his primary to Carolyn Caton, the former secretary of the Jackson County Republican Party. Without a Democratic opponent, Caton will win the seat to portray Missouri’s 33rd House District, which includes eastern Lee’s Summit, Sky Springs and Lone Jack.
“The constituents of District 33 wanted a change,” Caton said. “They wanted a conservative change.”
But Sander isn’t a moderate Republican — he’s a staunch supporter of Donald Trump who only strayed from the party on transgender rights.
“Chris Sander is a Conservative America F
Queens congressman-elect talks Jan. 6, being a gay Republican
George Santos is heading to Washington in January to represent a congressional district that spans parts of Queens and Nassau County. The first openly gay Republican elected to Congress, Santos beat Democrat Robert Zimmerman in what was believed to be the first general election congressional race between two openly lgbtq+ candidates.
Despite some Republicans opposing gay marriage and discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms, Santos told Errol Louis on "Inside City Hall" he will be able to serve with his colleagues and help train them "that it's not about ostracizing the gay group, it's about respecting one another."
The Queens resident pointed to 47 Republicans, of 211 total, voting to protect homosexual marriage over the summer as evidence his party is moving in the right direction on LGBTQ issues. He also noted Republicans nominated him to run for Congress the last two cycles, knowing he was gay.
"This isn't a matter of cultural or religious issue, it's a matter of release, freedom for all," Santos said. "And that means the gay and sapphic community at