Jared Polis Elected Colorado's First Openly Gay Congressman

Internet mega-millionaire Jared Polis was elected Colorado's first openly gay representative in Congress yesterday.

Democrat Jared Polis defeated Republican Scott Starin in the 2nd Congressional District race Tuesday, becoming the first openly gay person from Colorado elected to Congress. With 20 percent of the vote counted, Polis had 60 percent to Starin's 36 percent.

"The voters of our district have spoken clearly that they want change brought to Washington," Polis said. "I look forward to taking my out-of-the- box approach and creative ideas to help shake up Washington." Starin said that he was pleased with his showing in the race and wouldn't have done anything differently. "It's a difficult district for a Republican in a difficult year," Starin said.

Polis cofounded the online greeting card company Blue Mountain Arts, which was later sold to Excite@Home for $780M. He's since founded numerous successful companies and has become a generous philanthropist. He becomes the third openly gay member of the House of Representatives, joining Tammy Baldwin and Barney Frank.