LGBT Supporter Wins Hawaii Senate Race

Mazie Hirono moves up from the U.S. House to the Senate, defeating Linda Lingle, who as the state's governor had vetoed civil unions.

Mazie Hirono, an LGBT-friendly U.S. representative from Hawaii, will move up to the Senate with her victory over Linda Lingle, who as the state's governor had vetoed civil unions legislation.

In a recent debate, Democrat Hirono took Republican Lingle to task for her veto, in front of LGBT activists she had called to witness it, expecting her to sign it. Neil Abercrombie, Lingle's successor, approved civil unions.

Hirono and Lingle were vying for a seat opened up by the retirement of Sen. Daniel Akaka. Read more on Lingle's antigay history here.