Longshot JD Ford Elected Indiana’s First Openly Gay Member of Congress, Unseating GOP Incumbent

This story originally appeared on The Advocate.JD Ford has made LGBTQ+ history in Indiana with a remarkable upset in the conservative state.The Democrat bested incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz to triumph in the state’s 5th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, which called the race at 8:28 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.With 71 percent of votes counted, Ford led Spartz 55 percent to 44 percent.Ford’s victory is remarkable, as a Democrat hasn’t held this seat since 1990. Spartz was first elected in 2020 and was running for her fourth consecutive term.Ford, who is gay, is now the first out member of Congress from Indiana. The state senator had broken barriers before. In 2020, he unseated a 13-year incumbent who campaigned against same-sex marriage and became the first out member of the Indiana General Assembly. President Trump’s low approval ratings, a result of issues like his controversial war in Iran, affordability, and ICE raids, have created opportunities for Democrats in traditionally red states like Indiana, where former Vice President Mike Pence was once governor.