The November 3, 2026 US midterm elections delivered a series of historic victories, with women, Black Americans, Native Americans, Muslim candidates and members of the LGBTQ+ community breaking longstanding political barriers.
From the first Black woman elected governor in US history to the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, the results created milestones across state governments and the US Congress.
Several states also elected their first female, Black or Latino governors, while new congressional victories brought greater generational and cultural representation to Washington.
Here are some of the major historic firsts from the 2026 US midterm elections.
1. Keisha Lance Bottoms Becomes America’s First Black Female Governor
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms made history after winning Georgia’s gubernatorial election, becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a US state.
The former Atlanta mayor also became Georgia’s first female governor and first Black governor.
Her victory ended the Republican Party’s hold on the state’s governorship, which Democrats had not won since 1998.
2. Deb Haaland Becomes the First Native American Woman Governor
Former US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor of a US state after winning the New Mexico gubernatorial race.
Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo, previously made history in 2021 when she became the first Native American to lead a US federal department as Interior Secretary under former President Joe Biden.
Her election marks another milestone in Native American representation in American politics.
3. Abdul El-Sayed Becomes the First Muslim US Senator
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate after defeating Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan.
The physician and former public health official attracted national attention during the campaign, with his religion becoming a subject of political attacks.
His victory establishes a new milestone for Muslim American representation in the upper chamber of Congress.
4. Chris Pappas Becomes the First Openly Gay Male US Senator
Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas won New Hampshire’s Senate race, becoming the first openly gay man elected to serve in the US Senate.
Pappas defeated Republican John Sununu in the contest to replace retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
His victory adds another milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in the country’s federal legislature.
5. Peggy Flanagan Becomes the First Native American Woman Elected to the US Senate
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate.
Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, defeated Republican candidate Michele Tafoya.
Her victory represents a historic breakthrough for Indigenous women in the country’s national legislature.
6. Byron Donalds Becomes Florida’s First Black Governor
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds won Florida’s gubernatorial election, becoming the state’s first Black governor.
His victory also makes him the first Black Republican elected governor in US history.
Donalds will succeed Ron DeSantis, who could not seek another consecutive term because of Florida’s gubernatorial term limits.
7. David Crowley Becomes Wisconsin’s First Black Governor
Democrat David Crowley made history by winning Wisconsin’s gubernatorial election, becoming the state’s first Black governor.
Crowley previously served as Milwaukee County executive. His victory adds Wisconsin to the list of states electing a Black governor in the 2026 midterms.
8. Gina Hinojosa Becomes Texas’s First Latina Governor
Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott to become the first Latina elected governor of Texas.
Her victory also returned the state’s governorship to Democratic control after decades of Republican leadership.
Hinojosa’s election represents a significant milestone for Hispanic women in Texas politics.
9. Amy Acton Becomes Ohio’s First Elected Female Governor
Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become the first woman elected governor of Ohio.
A physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, Acton became widely recognised during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ohio previously had a woman, Nancy Hollister, serve briefly as governor after succeeding George Voinovich in 1998. However, Acton is the first woman elected directly to the office.
10. Marsha Blackburn Becomes Tennessee’s First Female Governor
Republican Marsha Blackburn made history after winning Tennessee’s gubernatorial election, becoming the first woman elected governor of the state.
Blackburn previously served as a US senator representing Tennessee before contesting the governorship.
Her victory adds another state to the growing list of women elected to lead state governments.
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11. Annie Andrews Becomes South Carolina’s First Elected Female Senator
Democrat Annie Andrews won South Carolina’s Senate election, becoming the first woman elected to represent the state in the US Senate.
The victory follows the appointment of Darline Graham, who temporarily served in the Senate after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham.
Unlike Graham’s appointment, Andrews’ victory came through a statewide election.
12. Juliana Stratton Helps Make US Senate History for Black Women
Democrat Juliana Stratton won Illinois’ Senate race, becoming one of the latest Black women to enter the upper chamber.
Her election means three Black women will serve simultaneously in the US Senate for the first time.
She will join Senators Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.
Stratton’s victory also means Illinois will have two women of colour representing it in the Senate, alongside Senator Tammy Duckworth.
13. Xavier Becerra Becomes California’s First Elected Latino Governor
Xavier Becerra made history after winning California’s gubernatorial election, becoming the state’s first elected Latino governor in the modern era.
The son of Mexican immigrants, Becerra previously served as US Secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden.
His victory adds California to the list of states with a Latino or Latina elected to the governorship in the 2026 elections.
14. New York Gets Its First All-Woman Gubernatorial Ticket
New York recorded a historic first with the election of an all-woman gubernatorial ticket.
Governor Kathy Hochul won re-election alongside running mate Adrienne Adams, who became the first Black woman elected lieutenant governor of New York.
The result marks a significant milestone for women’s representation in the state’s executive leadership.
15. Melat Kiros Becomes the First Gen Z Woman Elected to Congress
Democrat Melat Kiros made history after winning her congressional race in Colorado, becoming the first Gen Z woman elected to the US Congress.
Born in 1997, Kiros represents a new generation of political leaders entering the federal legislature.
Her victory builds on the earlier milestone achieved by Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost, who became the first Gen Z member of Congress in 2023.
16. Adam Hamawy Becomes New Jersey’s First Muslim Member of Congress
Democrat Adam Hamawy won New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District race, becoming the first Muslim elected to represent the state in Congress.
Hamawy is a plastic surgeon and former US Army combat surgeon.
His victory adds to the growing representation of Muslim Americans in the country’s federal legislature.
17. Claire Valdez Becomes New York’s First Native American Congresswoman
Democrat Claire Valdez made history after winning her congressional race, becoming New York’s first Native American woman elected to Congress.
A citizen of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe, her victory adds another milestone for Indigenous representation in the US House of Representatives.
18. Denise Powell Becomes Nebraska’s First Hispanic Member of Congress
Democrat Denise Powell won her congressional race, becoming the first Hispanic elected to represent Nebraska in the US Congress.
Her victory marks a new milestone for Hispanic political representation in a state that had not previously elected a Hispanic member to the federal legislature.
19. Jeremy Moss Becomes Michigan’s First Openly Gay Male Member of Congress
Democrat Jeremy Moss won a seat in the US House, becoming Michigan’s first openly gay man elected to Congress.
His victory expands LGBTQ+ representation from the state at the federal level.
20. Hakeem Jeffries Moves Closer to Becoming America’s First Black House Speaker
The Democratic victory in the House of Representatives has also placed Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a position to potentially make history.
If elected Speaker when the new Congress convenes, Jeffries would become the first Black person to serve as Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
His potential elevation would mark another milestone in the leadership of the country’s federal legislature. However, the speakership is determined by a vote among House members and is not decided directly by the general election.
2026 US Midterm Elections: A Record Year for Women in Politics
Beyond individual victories, the 2026 elections also produced a record number of women elected to lead state governments.
According to Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics, voters in 17 states elected a woman governor, setting a new record.
The election also featured 26 women as major-party gubernatorial nominees, surpassing the previous record of 25 set in 2022.
The results brought historic changes to state leadership and Congress, with several candidates breaking barriers that had stood for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who became the first Black woman governor in US history in 2026?
Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of a US state after winning Georgia’s gubernatorial election.
2. Who is the first Muslim elected to the US Senate?
Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan became the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate.
3. Who is the first Native American woman governor in the United States?
Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor after winning the New Mexico election.
4. Who is the first openly gay male US senator?
Chris Pappas of New Hampshire became the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate.
5. Which state elected its first Black governor in 2026?
Florida and Wisconsin each elected their first Black governors, Byron Donalds and David Crowley, respectively. Georgia also elected its first Black governor, Keisha Lance Bottoms.
6. Who became the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate?
Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota became the first Native American woman elected to the Senate.
7. Which state elected its first Latina governor?
Texas elected Gina Hinojosa as its first Latina governor.
8. How many states elected women governors in 2026?
Women won gubernatorial elections in 17 states, setting a new record, according to Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics.
9. Who could become the first Black Speaker of the US House?
Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black Speaker of the House if elected to the position by members of the new Congress.