CHICAGO—Jacob Meister became the first openly gay candidate to run for a position in US Senate.

Although Meister plans to withdraw his name from the race, he looks back on his experiences. “I am privileged to have heard from so many people throughout Illinois, who understand that to be gay in America without the benefit of inalienable rights, is not to be American.”

Alexi Giannoulias is now the favorite of Democratic voters, according to a Chicago Tribune poll. He has a strong LGBT following because of his support for equality.

“With me being the first senate candidate in history to be in favor of gay marriage, I didn’t do this for political reasons and to get more votes or raise more money. It’s not a political move, it’s how I feel” Giannoulias said in an interview with ChicagoPride.com

Other candidates for US Senate include Cheryle Jackson, David Hoffman and Robert Marshall.

To read more on this story, visit ChicagoPride.com.

~Emily Inverso