Senator-elect Baldwin wants to move Wisconsin forward

MILWAUKEE -- Senator-elect Tammy Baldwin said her decisive victory on Tuesday, November 6th, along with the re-election of President Barack Obama, sends two clear messages to the people of Wisconsin and the nation.

“The middle class and the rejection of gridlock were the two winners in the election last night," Baldwin said.

Baldwin celebrated her victory with supporters in Madison. Tuesday night, she became the first woman ever elected to U.S. Senate in Wisconsin. Tammy Baldwin beat out Republican challenger Tommy Thompson with 51% of the vote.

On Wednesday, November 7th, Baldwin was in Milwaukee. She told FOX6 News she hopes leaders of both political parties realize that it's in their best interests to do the people's business.

“A very hard-fought partisan election is now passed and for those who created gridlock to elevate partisan ends about getting people’s business done, that goal has been removed,"  Baldwin said.

Some national pundits called Baldwin's victory the second biggest story of the night. She is the first woman to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate and the first openly gay member of the U.S. Senate.

Baldwin said in her victory speech that she ran to make a difference, not to make history. But she also realizes the significance of it is remarkable.

"I think we govern best in the United States when our Legislature looks like the diverse cross-section of America. My presence in the U.S. Senate will make it look a little bit more like America," Baldwin said.

Baldwin will go from representing a liberal district in Madison to a fairly divided state, but Baldwin says he values will continue to be rooted in Wisconsin.

"I think it's really a statewide tradition that people want their voices heard. They want a fair shot for hard-working middle class families," Baldwin said.

CLICK HERE to read more stories about Tammy Baldwin