Democratic Congressman Jared Polis has won the governor's race in Colorado, US networks projected on Tuesday, making him the first openly gay person to be elected governor in the United States.
The five-term congressman, 43, who defeated Republican Walker Stapleton, was open about his sexual orientation during the campaign, often referring to it in his criticism of President Donald Trump.
Kate Brown became the first bisexual governor when she was elected in Oregon in 2015, while another governor, Jim McGreevey of New Jersey, came out as gay before resigning in 2004.
But Polis is the first openly gay candidate to be elected governor.
He will succeed Democrat John Hickenlooper, who has been in office since 2011.
A self-made millionaire and tech entrepreneur, Polis was admitted to Princeton at age 16 and has said that he set his sights on becoming governor when he was in college.
Polis, who is Jewish, switched his name from Jared Schultz to Jared Polis at age 25 to honor his grandmother, he has said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"It's Good She's Gone, But...": Indian-American Lawmaker On Sheikh Hasina Big Boost For Indian-American In Congressional Race, Opponent Disqualified US Congressional Black Caucus Lineup To Oust Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar Tear Gas Fired After Kolkata Protest Against Doctor's Rape-Murder Turns Violent 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Bangladeshi Students On Alert, To Remain On Streets To Resist Chaos India's 78th Independence Day: A Tribute By Google Doodle "Full Of Negativity...": PM Slams Opposition In Independence Day Speech Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.