The 2026 midterm elections came with a wave of history-making wins. See every historic first.

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 Gina Hinojosa takes the stage as she is announced as the next governor of Texas at her watch party in Austin on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (Mikala Compton/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)Gina Hinojosa is the first Latina elected governor of the state of Texas.
  • Democrats swept the 2026 midterm elections, securing wins in long-held Republican states.
  • Four states elected their first Black governors, and four elected their first women governors.
  • Abdul El-Sayed became the Senate's first Muslim member, and Chris Pappas, its first openly gay man.

The midterms' blue tsunami was full of surprises — and a long list of historic firsts.

Democratic candidates for the US House, Senate, and governorships swept wins across the US on Tuesday night, including in many long-held Republican states like Texas and South Carolina.

Four states elected their first-ever Black governors, and four also elected a woman governor for the first time. In Georgia, it was both, with Keisha Lance Bottoms making history as the first Black woman elected governor in any US state.

For the first time in US history, five Black governors will serve simultaneously, and at least 17 women will serve as US state governors simultaneously.

While races in Alaska and Mississippi remain undecided, see the full list of every historic win in the 2026 midterm elections so far.

Keisha Lance Bottoms (D), Georgia
Georgia Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks during an election night watch party at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on November 03, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Democratic Keisha Lance Bottoms is now the first Black woman elected governor in US history after defeating Republican Rick Jackson.

She is also Georgia's first Black governor and first woman governor.

Byron Donalds (R), Florida
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds introduces U.S. President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Ocean Center Arena on October 30, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Byron Donalds is now the first Black Republican elected governor in US history and Florida's first Black governor.

Deb Haaland (D), New Mexico
New Mexico Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland waves to supporters during the New Mexico Democratic Party midterm Election Night celebration at the Route 66 Hotel-Casino after being elected as governor on November 03, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Deb Haaland is now the first Native American woman elected governor in US history and New Mexico's first Native American governor after defeating Republican Gregg Hull.

David Crowley (D), Wisconsin
Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley celebrates with supporters after declaring victory on November 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

David Crowley is now Wisconsin's first Black governor after defeating Republican Tom Tiffany.

Aaron Ford (D), Nevada
Nevada Democratic gubernatorial candidate and current Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford speaks to supporters at the Nevada Democratic Party's election results watch party at MEET Las Vegas early on November 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Former Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is now Nevada's first Black governor after defeating the Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo.

Gina Hinojosa (D), Texas
 Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa speaks during her election night watch party at Assembly Hall on November 3, 2026 in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is the projected winner of the Texas gubernatorial race with 52.85% of the vote. Hinojosa will be the first Hispanic Governor of Texas and the first Democratic Governor in over 30 years. (Photo by Joel Angel Juarez/Getty Images)Gina Hinojosa at her election-night watch party.

Gina Hinojosa is now Texas' first Latina governor, defeating incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, and the first Democratic governor elected in the state since Ann Richards in 1990.

Xavier Becerra (D), California
Xavier Becerra, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for California, during a "No on Prop 39" phonebank in Los Angeles, California, US, on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.

Xavier Becerra is now California's first elected Latino governor, succeeding Gavin Newsom.

Amy Acton (D), Ohio
Democratic Ohio Governor-elect Amy Acton greets a crowd of her supporters after her victory was announced at a midterm election night watch party at the Hilton Downtown Columbus on November 03, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

Democratic candidate Amy Acton is now Ohio's first woman elected governor after defeating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.

Marsha Blackburn (R), Tennessee
Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, walks onto stage during a campaign event in Clarksville, Tennessee, US, on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026.

Marsha Blackburn is now Tennessee's first elected woman governor.

She was the first woman elected to represent the state in the Senate in 2018.

Amy Klobuchar (D), Minnesota
Minnesota Governor-Elect Amy Klobuchar talks to the media at the DFL watch party, on November 3, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Amy Klobuchar was elected as Minnesota's first woman governor.

In 2006, she became the first woman from the state to be elected to the US Senate.

Kathy Hochul (D) and Adrienne Adams (D), New York
Adrienne Adams, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York, left, and Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, during an election night event with New York Democrats in New York, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams are now New York's first all-woman governor-lieutenant governor ticket, and Adams is New York's first Black woman lieutenant governor.

Hochul became the state's first woman governor after taking office in 2021.

Abdul El-Sayed (D), Michigan
Abdul El-SayedAbdul El-Sayed.

Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim senator in US history.

Peggy Flanagan (D), Minnesota
Peggy FlanaganPeggy Flanagan.

Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota will become the first Native American woman US senator and Minnesota's first Native American senator.

Chris Pappas (D), New Hampshire
Chris PappasChris Pappas.

Chris Pappas is the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate.

In his acceptance speech, he thanked his supporters and his husband, Vann Bentley, whom he married in 2023.

Annie Andrews (D), South Carolina
Person in a navy suit waves onstage before a crowd holding “Thank you, Annie!” signs.Annie Andrews on Tuesday.

Annie Andrews became the first woman elected to the US Senate representing South Carolina.

She defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was appointed to fill his seat after he died in July.

Juliana Stratton (D), Illinois
Juliana StrattonJuliana Stratton.

Juliana Stratton is Illinois' second Black woman elected to the US Senate. Alongside Tammy Duckworth, she makes Illinois the first state to be represented by two women of color in the Senate.

Her victory means three Black women will serve in the Senate at the same time — another historic first.

Melat Kiros (D), Colorado
Melat KirosMelat Kiros.

Melat Kiros is the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress, representing Colorado's 1st congressional District. She is 29 years old.

Adam Hamawy (D), New Jersey
Adam HamawyAdam Hamawy.

Representing New Jersey's 12th District, Adam Hamawy is the Garden State's first Muslim member of Congress.

Claire Valdez (D), New York
Claire ValdezClaire Valdez.

Claire Valdez made history as New York's first Native American woman elected to Congress, representing New York's 7th District.

Jeremy Moss (D), Michigan
Jeremy Moss.Jeremy Moss.

Jeremy Moss, elected to represent Michigan's 11th District, made history as Michigan's first openly gay member of Congress.

Denise Powell (D), Nebraska
Denise Powell.Denise Powell.

It was also a historic night for Denise Powell, who became Nebraska's first Hispanic member of Congress. She will represent the state's 2nd District.

Five Black governors will serve simultaneously for the first time in US history.
Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appears onstage during her election night watch party at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on November 03, 2026 in Atlanta.

They are Democrats Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia, David Crowley of Wisconsin, Aaron Ford of Nevada, and Wes Moore of Maryland, plus Republican Byron Donalds of Florida.

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