Yes, the 2026 midterms will be remembered for the astonishing number of losses that Democrats handed to President Donald Trump. But in the background, something perhaps equally seismic unfolded: a wave of firsts that elevated into high office members of groups that had, until now, been kept largely at the margins. Read moreMidterms live: Democrats win control of House and Senate as GOP suffers historic losses There were cheers and happy tears at election parties from New Mexico to Georgia late Tuesday once it became clear voters had elected the country's first Black female governor, the first Native American female governor, the first Native female senator and the first openly gay male US senator.
By early Wednesday, the first Muslim US senator was also added to the list of barrier-breaking milestones. The astonishing blue wave also means the United States will likely have its first-ever Black speaker of the House. Read moreWhy the Democrats routed the Republicans in the US midterm elections Most of these firsts are Democrats, but the GOP has also broken some new ground.
While some of these candidates have avoided focusing on the inherent historic value of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation, some voters' rights advocates are celebrating how the electorate has expanded. "These wins are because of them.” Watch more'Blue tsunami' in US midterms 'pummels GOP out of power' Here are some of the races where history was and could be made. Democrat Deb Haaland reveled in her history-making moment of becoming the first Native American female governor in US history.
Haaland was declared the winner over Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor, to lead New Mexico. The Laguna Pueblo citizen noted that Native Americans are still here despite past efforts by the federal government to strip them of their languages and culture. 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. Charles Curtis, from the Kaw Nation, was the first Native Cabinet member as President Herbert Hoover’s vice president. Oklahoma was the only state to elect a tribal citizen for governor– Democrat Johnston Murray in the 1950s and current Republican Governor Kevin Stitt.
"I want every child watching to know that your dreams matter and that New Mexico is a place where you can build the life you want,” Haaland said, adding that she is living proof. Peggy Flanagan has become the first Native American female US 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.
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