2026 Midterms: Historic Firsts for African, Native, and LGBTQ Candidates
The 2026 US midterms produced a wave of historic firsts, with Democrats gaining control of Congress and numerous candidates breaking barriers. Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim US Senator, while Melat Kiros became the first Gen Z woman in Congress. In state races, Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman governor, and Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman governor. Other breakthroughs include the first Black governors in Florida, Wisconsin, and Nevada, and the first out gay male senator in Chris Pappas.