(Denver, Colo.) Jared Polis, a self-made millionaire and entrepreneur, is expected to become the third openly gay member of Congress after winning a decisive victory to represent the Democratic Party in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District.

He now goes on to face Republican Scott Starin in November. But in a district where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans, Polis’ victory in the general election is all but assured.

Polis would join Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Barney Frank (D-Mass.) as the only openly gay or lesbian members of Congress.

There was scant controversy in the primary over Polis’ sexuality.

“I think the people chose me for the ideas I articulated, the war in Iraq, the fight for universal health care, and really challenging the status quo,” Polis told a cheering throng at his victory rally, standing with his partner Marlon Reis.

To win the nomination, Polis tapped into his personal fortune producing flashy glossy mailers to voters and a glitzy internet campaign promoting his platform.

Still, the victory makes him the first openly gay person to run for Congress from Colorado.

“Jared’s election is a victory for democracy,” said Chuck Wolfe, president of the Victory Fund, which endorsed Polis.

“Gay Americans are woefully underrepresented in our government. Jared’s victory brings us one step closer to fulfilling America’s promise of a truly representative government.”

Polis, who was previously elected statewide to the Colorado State Board of Education, would fill the seat of Rep. Mark Udall, who is running to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate.

The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, the Victory Fund’s affiliated organization, supported Polis when he came out publicly while serving on the Board of Education.

Polis would become the sixth openly gay person to serve in the House of Representatives. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat elected from Wisconsin in 1998, was the first openly gay person to be elected to the U.S. House as a non-incumbent. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, also a Democrat, announced he was gay in 1987 after having served several terms in the House. Frank is now the powerful chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. The late Gerry Studds, a Democrat of Massachusetts, came out publicly while serving in the House, as did former Congressman Steve Gunderson, a Republican from Wisconsin, and former Congressman Jim Kolbe, a Republican from Arizona.

No openly gay or lesbian person has yet been elected to the U.S. Senate.