The key facts

  • Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman state governor in US history (Georgia)
  • Chris Pappas is the first openly gay senator; Deb Haaland is the first Native American woman to lead a state
  • Gina Ortiz Jones is the first Latina governor of Texas; the outcome of Abdul El-Sayed's race in Michigan remained uncertain

A night of records against the backdrop of a Democratic surge

The US midterm elections ended, according to AFP, in a 'sharp rejection' of President Donald Trump's second term and a whole series of historic firsts for members of minorities. All the key symbolic victories went to Democrats. Bill Schiebler, chief strategist of the nonprofit network State Voices, called the night 'a huge rebuke to hatred and division' and noted that voters increasingly see themselves in their leaders — in his words, this is 'part of a functioning multiracial democracy, not just a novelty'.

Gubernatorial and Senate firsts

In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, defeated billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson and became the first Black woman elected governor of any US state. The victory returned the governorship to Democrats after more than two decades of Republican control. In New Hampshire, Representative Chris Pappas, who has served in the lower chamber since 2019, became the first openly gay man who will serve in the US Senate. 'No one should face discrimination because of who they are or who they love,' his statement on his website said. In New Mexico, Democrat Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo people and former Interior Secretary under Joe Biden (the first Native American in a US cabinet), defeated Republican Greg Hull and became the first Native American woman elected governor.

Uncertain outcomes and what comes next

Beyond the gubernatorial races, AFP also notes other state firsts: Gina Ortiz Jones won in Texas, becoming the state's first Latina governor. The outcome of one of the most talked-about races remained uncertain at the time of publication: in Michigan, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a former health administrator who promised to make healthcare free and drew large crowds at his rallies, was locked in a 'tight' fight to become the first Muslim in the US Senate. If House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as expected, becomes Speaker of the new Congress, he will be the first Black Speaker of the House in US history.