Voters elected the first Black woman and the first Native American woman to lead U.S. states on Tuesday. The midterms also brought a series of milestones to the Senate, where voters elected the chamber’s first Native American woman, first Muslim senator and first openly gay man, according to Associated Press reporting and its Michigan race call. The results are based on race calls ahead of official certification.
Georgia and New Mexico make history
Georgia Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, defeated Republican Rick Jackson to become the first Black woman elected governor of any U.S. state. She also became the first Democrat elected governor of Georgia since 1998. AP’s Georgia coverage
In New Mexico, Democrat Deb Haaland defeated Republican Gregg Hull, becoming the first Native American woman elected governor of a U.S. state. A citizen of Laguna Pueblo, Haaland was one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress in 2018. She later became the first Native American to serve as a U.S. Cabinet secretary, leading the Department of the Interior. AP’s reporting on Haaland
Three national firsts in the Senate
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a Democrat and citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, defeated Republican Michele Tafoya. She is the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. AP’s election coverage
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers for the seat held by retiring Sen. Gary Peters. El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official, will be the first Muslim to serve in the Senate. AP’s Michigan race call
New Hampshire elected Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas over former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu. Pappas is the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. AP’s New Hampshire coverage
State milestones across party lines
Republican Byron Donalds won in Florida and Democrat David Crowley won in Wisconsin. Each will be his state’s first Black governor. Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott to become the first Latina elected governor of Texas. Minnesota elected Democrat Amy Klobuchar as its first woman governor, and Tennessee elected Republican Marsha Blackburn as its first woman governor. AP’s roundup · Axios’s roundup · AP’s Texas coverage
Republican Julia Letlow will be the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in the Senate. In Illinois, Democrat Juliana Stratton’s win means she will serve alongside Sen. Tammy Duckworth, making Illinois the first state represented by two women of color in the Senate at the same time. Axios’s Louisiana coverage · AP’s Illinois reporting
Featured photo: Keisha Lance Bottoms in a 2022 official portrait. Executive Office of the President, public domain. Photo source
