WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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On Tuesday, voters in Indiana elected the state’s first openly gay legislator.
Democrat J.D. Ford defeated Republican state Senator Mike Delph in a district which includes parts of Indianapolis and Carmel. Ford also turned 36 on Tuesday, making him one of the youngest legislators in Indiana.
Ford was previously defeated by Delph, in Senate District 29. His campaign received a boost after being backed by the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, which had previously supported Delph.
Ford campaigned on increasing funding for public schools, raising the minimum wage, protecting the environment, and passing hate crimes legislation that includes protections for gender identity and sexual orientation. Indiana is one of five states without hate crimes legislation.
