The Midterms Had A Plot Twist, And Her Name Is Keisha, Deb, Gina, Amy, And Peggy
Midterm Election Night 2026 delivered more than a shift in power. It delivered a list of firsts that will take years to fully absorb and accurately celebrate. Democrats have officially taken back control of the House and the Senate, according to ABC News and Fast Company, in what the latter describes as a rebuke of President Donald Trump and the candidates who back him. As of early Wednesday, ABC’s Senate tracker showed Democrats holding 55 seats.
The wins reached well beyond Washington. Democrats flipped long-standing Republican strongholds, including Texas, where Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor’s mansion, giving Democrats the office for the first time since 1998, according to Newsweek. Additionally, Keisha made major history as the first Black Woman Governor in United States history.
In Ohio, Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. Races in Michigan, New Hampshire and Minnesota also went the same way.
The candidates themselves changed what a winning ticket looks like. Voters elected the first Black woman governor in U.S. history, the first Native American woman governor and the first Native American woman to serve in the Senate. They also elected the first Muslim senator and the first openly gay man in the Senate. Five Black governors will serve at once for the first time, Fast Company reports.
Women led much of that history. Below is a look at the women who won, followed by the other barrier-breaking victories of the night.
Governors
- Keisha Lance Bottoms is confirmed to become the first Black woman elected governor in the country and Georgia’s first woman governor. The former Atlanta mayor beat billionaire Rick Jackson, according to ABC.
- Deb Haaland won in New Mexico and is the first Native American woman elected governor.
- Gina Hinojosa won in Texas and is the state’s first Hispanic governor, according to ABC and Fast Company. She defeated Gov. Greg Abbott.
- Dr. Amy Acton won in Ohio and is the state’s first woman elected governor and its first Jewish governor. She defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan won in Minnesota and is the first Native American woman elected to the Senate. She defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, 53.7% to 43.6%, with nearly all votes reported, per Newsweek.
- Dr. Annie Andrews won in South Carolina and is the state’s first woman elected to the Senate, 51.1% to 46.7%.
- Juliana Stratton won in Illinois. She joins Sen. Tammy Duckworth, making Illinois the first state with two women of color in the Senate. Her win also means three Black women will serve in the Senate at once.
U.S. House
- Melat Kiros won in Colorado and is the state’s first Black woman elected to Congress. Newsweek calls her the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress.
- Claire Valdez won in New York and is the state’s first Native American woman elected to Congress.
Other Firsts, Including The Men
- Dr. Abdul El-Sayed won in Michigan and is the first Muslim elected to the Senate.
- Chris Pappas won in New Hampshire and is the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.
- Xavier Becerra won in California and is the state’s first Latino governor.
- David Crowley won in Wisconsin and is the state’s first Black governor.
- Dr. Adam Hamawy won in New Jersey and is the state’s first Muslim member of Congress.
- Jeremy Moss won in Michigan and is the state’s first openly gay member of Congress.
Fast Company notes that five Black governors were elected, the first time multiple Black governors will serve at once.
The night also included several bright spots for women in leadership beyond the headline races. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black Speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes, according to Newsweek.
