US midterms: First Muslim senator, Black woman governor and other historic wins

The 2026 US midterm elections have produced a series of historic firsts, with women and candidates from minority communities breaking longstanding barriers in American politics, including the election of the country’s first Black woman governor, first Muslim senator and first openly gay male senator.

Several candidates also made history in gubernatorial and congressional races across the country, expanding representation for Black, Latino, Native American and LGBTQ+ communities.

The victories came as Democrats made sweeping gains in Tuesday’s elections, winning control of both chambers of Congress and securing several governorships previously held by Republicans, in a major setback for President Donald Trump’s administration.

Here are some of the notable historic firsts from the 2026 US midterm elections.

First Muslim US senator

Democratic candidate for US Senate, Abdul El-Sayed, and his wife, Sarah Jukaku, react on stage after his victory in the US midterm elections, during an Election Night rally, in Detroit, Michigan, US, November 4, 2026. — REUTERS

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s open US Senate seat, according to media projections, becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber.

His victory in the closely contested race preserves a crucial Democratic seat and marks a breakthrough for the party’s progressive wing. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman and FBI agent, in the contest to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.

“TONIGHT WE TURN THAT INSHA’ALLAH INTO AN ALHAMDULILLAH”

Abdul El-Sayed during his victory speech as the FIRST MUSLIM SENATOR IN U.S. HISTORY. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/SEmI5xQOsr

— Muslim (@Muslim) November 4, 2026

El-Sayed, 42, a former public health official, centred his campaign on reducing living costs for working families and limiting corporate influence in politics. His policy platform included Medicare for All, a government-funded universal healthcare programme backed by progressives within the Democratic Party.

Rogers, 63, entered the race with strong backing from Trump and national Republicans. He sought to portray El-Sayed as sympathetic to Islamic extremism through alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood, claims that El-Sayed denied and for which no supporting evidence was presented.

Democrats criticised the attacks as relying on Islamophobic stereotypes.

It is my honor and privilege to be headed to the US Senate to serve the great state of Michigan.

Michigan, we did what they said couldn’t be done. We won. Together. Now the real work begins. https://t.co/ITgNRyUkNc

— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) November 4, 2026

Rogers also sought to appeal to Jewish voters concerned about El-Sayed’s opposition to US military aid for Israel and his description of Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.

However, the Republicans struggled to overcome voter concerns about the economy and Trump’s low approval ratings. Towards the end of the campaign, Rogers also broke with the president over the war in Iran and the US trade dispute with Canada, arguing that ending both was necessary to bring down costs for businesses and consumers.

El-Sayed’s election marks a significant milestone for Muslim representation in American politics. The Associated Press had not independently called the race at the time of reporting, although media projections indicated his victory.

First Black woman governor

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms addresses supporters as she celebrates winning Georgia’s race for governor and becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a US state, during an election night rally for the US midterm elections in Atlanta, Georgia, US, November 3, 2026. — REUTERS

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has become the first Black woman elected governor in US history after defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson in Georgia.

Her victory also makes her the first woman to lead Georgia, ending more than two centuries without a woman or Black American holding the state’s highest elected office.

Ahead of Election Day, Keisha Lance Bottoms, the first Black woman elected governor in the U.S., visited the grave of her great-great-grandmother, who was born 20 years before Emancipation.

Bottoms said she’s standing on “shoulders of steel.” https://t.co/DiVNLFMPgC https://t.co/64YJr9zShw

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 4, 2026

Bottoms previously served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and was among the women considered by former President Joe Biden as a potential running mate in the 2020 presidential election.

She later joined Biden’s administration as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Her campaign focused on expanding Medicaid coverage, providing property tax relief to homeowners and increasing education funding.

Bottoms’ victory also returns Georgia’s governorship to Democrats after decades of Republican control.

First openly gay male US senator

Democratic US Senate candidate and US Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH) speaks after Republican US Senate candidate and former US Senator John E. Sununu conceded the race, at his Election Night rally during the US midterm elections in Manchester, New Hampshire, US, November 3, 2026. — REUTERS

Democrat Chris Pappas has become the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate after winning New Hampshire’s Senate race.

Pappas, a four-term member of the House of Representatives, defeated Republican John E. Sununu in the contest for the seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

His victory allowed Democrats to retain the seat and marked a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in the upper chamber of Congress.

The New Hampshire contest had been considered one of the Republicans’ better opportunities to gain a Senate seat.

First Native American woman governor

Deb Haaland hugs her daughter Somah (R) after winning her midterm election in Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 6, 2018. — REUTERS/FILE

Democrat Deb Haaland has become the first Native American woman elected governor in the United States after winning New Mexico’s gubernatorial race.

A citizen of the Laguna Pueblo, Haaland previously served as US interior secretary under Biden, becoming the first Native American to lead a Cabinet department.

She also made history in 2018 as one of the first two Native American women elected to the US House of Representatives.

Her gubernatorial victory marks another significant milestone for Indigenous representation in American politics.

First Native American woman senator

Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, previously served as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and a state representative. — COURTESY/MINNESOTA REFORMER

Democrat Peggy Flanagan has become the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate after defeating Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota.

Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, previously served as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and a state representative.

Her victory marks a historic breakthrough for Indigenous representation in the upper chamber of Congress.

Flanagan’s election also helped Democrats secure control of the Senate after a series of victories in traditionally Republican states.

First Black governor of Florida

Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds celebrates his election night win with his wife Erika at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in unincorporated Broward County, Florida, US November 3, 2026. — REUTERS

Republican Byron Donalds has become Florida’s first Black governor after defeating Democratic candidate David Jolly.

Donalds, a congressman who received Trump’s endorsement during the campaign, ran on tax reforms, regulating data centres and supporting the president’s political agenda.

His election marks a historic milestone for Black representation in Florida’s highest elected office.

Donalds will join a growing group of Black governors in the United States, including Georgia’s Bottoms and Maryland’s Democratic Governor Wes Moore, who secured re-election.

The three governors represent different political parties and ideological positions.

First Black governor of Wisconsin

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley speaks during an Election Night rally after winning in the US midterm elections, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, November 3, 2026. — REUTERS

Democrat David Crowley has become Wisconsin’s first Black governor after defeating Republican Tom Tiffany.

Crowley, who previously served as Milwaukee County executive, secured victory in the closely watched contest to succeed outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers.

His election adds another milestone to the growing representation of Black Americans in state leadership.

The victory also helped Democrats retain control of the governor’s office in Wisconsin, a key battleground state.

First Latina governor of Texas

Democratic US Senate candidate from Texas James Talarico joins hands with Democratic candidate for Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa at the final rally of his campaign, ahead of the midterm elections, in Austin, Texas, US, November 2, 2026. — REUTERS

Democrat Gina Hinojosa has become Texas’ first Latina governor after defeating Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.

Her victory also makes her the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards, who left office in 1995.

Hinojosa, a state lawmaker and attorney from Austin, campaigned on affordability, public education and limiting the influence of wealthy donors in politics.

Her campaign also addressed contentious issues, including abortion, education and immigration, as she sought to challenge Republican dominance in the traditionally conservative state.

Hinojosa’s victory represents a major political shift in Texas and a historic moment for Latino representation in the state.

First woman elected governor of Ohio

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton reacts following her victory in the US midterm elections at a Democratic Election Night rally, in Columbus, Ohio, US, November 3, 2026. — REUTERS

Democrat Amy Acton has become the first woman elected governor of Ohio after defeating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.

Acton, a physician who previously served as Ohio’s health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, also becomes the first Democrat to win the state’s governorship since 2006.

Her campaign focused on affordability, property tax relief and healthcare, while she also proposed a moratorium on new data centres unless they covered their own utility costs.

The race attracted national attention, with Ramaswamy receiving Trump’s backing and the campaign becoming increasingly contentious in its closing weeks.

First elected Latino governor of California

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks during an election night rally during the US midterm elections, in Sacramento, California, US, November 3, 2026. — REUTERS

Democrat Xavier Becerra has become the first Latino elected governor of California after defeating Republican Steve Hilton.

Becerra previously served as a member of the US House of Representatives, California attorney general and secretary of Health and Human Services under Biden.

He emerged from a crowded Democratic primary to secure his party’s nomination to succeed outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom.

During the campaign, Becerra repeatedly linked Hilton to Trump, seeking to mobilise Democratic voters in the traditionally liberal state.

His victory marks a historic milestone for Latino representation in California, which has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the United States.