The first openly transgender elected official in the United States was Tammy Baldwin, who has served as a U.S. Senator. Although she was not the first transgender person to hold an elected office, her election in 2013 marked a significant milestone in American politics for LGBTQ+ representation. Baldwin’s presence in Congress has been instrumental in advancing policies that support LGBTQ+ rights and issues. Her candidacy symbolized progress towards inclusion and acceptance within political structures across the nation.