Three Republicans are trying to make history this fall.

No Republican has ever been openly gay when first elected to Congress.

Candidates in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and California hope to be the first.

None has an easy path.

Each must defeat a Democratic incumbent and confront passionate divisions within the GOP about how they live their lives.

The Republican Party is trying to soften its tone on divisive social issues, but many religious conservatives see homosexuality as immoral.

The candidates include Dan Innis, a former New Hampshire business school dean, and former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio.

Former Massachusetts state Sen. Richard Tisei is expected to run again for the northeastern Massachusetts congressional seat he narrowly lost in 2012.

Democrats have eight openly gay members serving in Congress.