Equality Caucus says new U.S. Congress will set LGBTQ+ representation record
Following the November 3 election, the congressional caucus announced a historic record. New winners include Chris Pappas, JD Ford and Jeremy Moss.
The Congressional Equality Caucus said on November 5, 2026, that the 120th U.S. Congress would set a record for openly LGBTQ+ representation. The statement followed the November 3 midterm elections, in which, according to The Advocate, several members of the community won seats in the federal legislature for the first time, while a number of incumbent lawmakers secured reelection.
A post on the caucus’s official X account called the incoming legislature the “GAYEST Congress in history,” adding the qualification “that we know of.” The post did not give a final number of lawmakers: the historic record is the Equality Caucus’s own assessment, rather than a complete count of both chambers supplied in its statement.
One of the key victories was Democrat Chris Pappas’s election to the Senate from New Hampshire. The Advocate reports that he defeated Republican former Senator John Sununu and became the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate. Before this election, Pappas represented the state in the House of Representatives.
In Indiana, Democrat JD Ford defeated incumbent Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz in the 5th District. In Michigan, Democrat Jeremy Moss won the 11th District race against Republican Ethan Baker. The Advocate reports these results citing Decision Desk HQ and describes Ford and Moss as the first openly LGBTQ+ members of Congress from their respective states.
The outlet also reports victories for Democrats JoAnna Mendoza in Arizona’s 6th District and Marni von Wilpert in California’s 48th District. Both won Republican-held seats. Reports of increased representation therefore reflect not only the reelection of incumbents but also the arrival of new lawmakers.
Among those reelected, The Advocate lists Delaware’s Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress; Kansas’s Sharice Davids; New York’s Ritchie Torres; Washington State’s Emily Randall; and Equality Caucus Chair Mark Takano of California. All the politicians listed are Democrats. These are election results for the next Congress, not an indication that the new legislature has already begun work.
The Equality Caucus is a House of Representatives group working on LGBTQ+ equality. Its membership is not limited to openly LGBTQ+ people: its official website separately lists its leadership, vice chairs and a broad membership. Its stated areas of work include combating discrimination and hate-motivated violence, as well as improving health and well-being regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Primary sources
Documents and statements this story is based on.
