US midterm elections 2026 witness historic firsts: First Black woman governor to First Muslim senator 

The U.S. midterm elections 2026 will be remembered not just for the stunning number of losses Democrats handed to President Donald Trump and Republicans, but also for a wave of historic firsts across the country.

The closely watched polls, held on November 3, 2026, saw voters electing the first Native American female governor, the first Black female governor, the first Muslim US senator and first openly gay male US senator. The astonishing blue wave also means the United States will likely have its first-ever Black speaker of the House.

U.S. midterm poll races that made history

First Black woman governor

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms reacts at a campaign office, the day after winning Georgia’s race for governor and becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a US state during the US midterm elections in Atlanta, Georgia, US, November 4, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected governor of Georgia, making history as the first Black woman to be elected governor in the United States, defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson and flipping the top job in a key swing state. Her win returns the Governor’s office to Democrats after more than two decades of Republican control.

First Native American female governor

Democrat Deb Haaland answers questions during an interview at her campaign headquarters in Albuquerque. File photo
| Photo Credit:
AP

Democrat Deb Haaland became the first Native American female governor in U.S. history when was declared the winner over Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor, to lead New Mexico. In 2018, Haaland was one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. Then she became the first Native American Cabinet secretary, running President Joe Biden’s Department of the Interior.

First Muslim Senator

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed speaks at an election night event on November 4, 2026, in Detroit, as his wife Sarah Jukaku watches.
| Photo Credit:
AP

Abdul El-Sayed will become the first Muslim American to serve in the U.S. Senate after registering victory in Michigan. The race between the progressive Michigan Democrat and Republican Mike Rogers had grabbed attention nationally. El-Sayed has had to contend with Republicans all the way up to Trump implying or overtly stating that the Michigan-born epidemiologist is not American and supports terrorism. El-Sayed and his supporters have denounced the attacks as Islamophobic or racist affronts to religious freedom.

Also read: Who is Abdul El-Sayed, first Muslim U.S. Senator-elect?

First openly gay male senator

Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Chris Pappas, right, speaks at an election night event, with Vann Bentley on November 3, 2026, in Manchester.
| Photo Credit:
AP Photo

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas won his U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire and will become the country’s first openly gay male senator. He defeated former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, a Republican who previously served in both chambers of Congress.

First Native American female U.S. senator

Democrat Peggy Flanagan, speaks at an election night event on November 3, 2026, in St. Paul.
| Photo Credit:
AP photo

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has become the first Native American female U.S. senator, helping Democrats win back the Senate. A citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Flanagan defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter.

(With inputs from AP, Reuters)