Adam Schrager:
A packed ballroom waited three and a half hours after the polls closed. But they'd been waiting even longer to welcome the state's first female and the country's first openly gay U.S. senator.

Tammy Baldwin:
But I didn't run to make history. I ran to make a difference.

Adam Schrager:
Tammy Baldwin says that difference includes a readiness to focus on Wisconsin families.

Tammy Baldwin:
Ready to fight for our middle class, ready to keep our promises to our seniors, ready to have a level playing field for our workers, ready to make sure that everyone has a fair shot.

Tommy Thompson:
Hey, everybody. How are you?

Adam Schrager:
Not even her closest allies gave her a fair shot against Tommy Thompson a year ago. But since then Wisconsin voters have witnessed a near perfect campaign.

Russ Feingold:
She's been completely steady. She's not made any mistakes. She’s made sure she stayed on message and she talked about the things that the people of Wisconsin care about.

Adam Schrager:
Feingold says voters related to words like "fairness" and "equality" that dominated Baldwin’s campaign, because they are the ideals and words of Wisconsin.

Tammy Baldwin:
The people's voice was heard tonight, Wisconsin. And come January, your voice will be heard in the United States Senate.

Adam Schrager:
For the state Democrats, it was the first celebration in a while, after losses in numerous recent elections.

Mike Tate:
It's been a rough couple of years. I think the word I use is this could be the beginning of our redemption of putting Wisconsin back together again. For everyone who’s fought so hard in the last two years. Tonight’s a pretty great night.

Adam Schrager:
Wisconsin's newest senator says she's ready to keep fighting, but not for parties as much as people.

Tammy Baldwin:
Make no mistake. I am a proud Wisconsin progressive. Which means I believe in holding the powerful accountable, I believe in fair play, and I believe that when people are struggling, you don't talk down to them. You help lift them up. And I believe-- and I believe in Wisconsin's workers and a work ethic that I will fight for every day.