Florida elected its first Black governor, Georgia chose the first Black woman ever elected to lead a US state, and Greek-American Chris Pappas won a Senate race that made LGBTQ history in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
The November 3 vote also brought national breakthroughs for Native American women and state milestones from Texas to Tennessee. Here are some of the significant firsts emerging from the 2026 US midterm elections.
Byron Donalds makes history in Florida
Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly to become Florida’s first Black governor-elect. The congressman will succeed Republican Ron DeSantis and will be the first Black Republican elected governor anywhere in the United States.
That distinction has an important historical qualification. P.B.S. Pinchback, a Black Republican, briefly served as Louisiana’s governor during Reconstruction, but he succeeded to the office rather than winning election to it.
Donalds’ victory also came as Florida voters returned three Greek-American Republicans to the US House: Gus Bilirakis, Mike Haridopolos and Jimmy Patronis.
Chris Pappas becomes the first openly gay man elected to the Senate
Chris Pappas won New Hampshire’s Senate race, defeating former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu. The Democrat will become the first openly gay man to serve in the US Senate.
Pappas, who has served in the House since 2019, announced his Senate bid in April 2025. His race also had an unusual connection for Greek-American voters: both major-party nominees have Greek ancestry.
Georgia elects the nation’s first Black woman governor
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, defeated Republican Rick Jackson in Georgia. She will become the first Black woman to serve as governor of any US state, as well as Georgia’s first woman and first Black governor.
Wisconsin also elected its first Black governor, Democrat David Crowley, who defeated Republican Tom Tiffany. In Maryland, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore won reelection, adding to a night of victories for Black candidates seeking their states’ highest executive office.
Native American women reach new milestones
Deb Haaland won New Mexico’s governor’s race, defeating Republican Gregg Hull to become the first Native American woman elected governor in US history. A citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, Haaland had already broken a national barrier when she became the first Native American Cabinet secretary. She led the Interior Department under President Joe Biden.
In Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeated Republican Michele Tafoya in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, will become the first Native American woman to serve in the US Senate.
Michigan projection points to the first Muslim senator
Decision Desk HQ projected a victory for Abdul El-Sayed over Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, putting the Democrat on course to become the country’s first Muslim senator.
El-Sayed is a physician and former Detroit health director. He ran for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
Texas, Minnesota and Tennessee choose groundbreaking governors
Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas. She will be the state’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor since Ann Richards in the 1990s.
Minnesota elected Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar as its first woman governor, following her victory over Republican Lisa Demuth. Klobuchar had previously become the first woman elected Hennepin County attorney and the first woman elected to represent Minnesota in the US Senate.
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn won Tennessee’s governor’s race against Democrat Jerri Green. She will be the first woman to lead the state.
Illinois adds another Senate milestone
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, a Democrat, defeated Republican Don Tracy to win the Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin.
When Stratton joins Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Illinois will become the first state represented simultaneously by two women of color in the Senate. Stratton’s arrival will also bring the number of Black women serving in the chamber at the same time to three.
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