Election Day 2026 is one for the books.
Even as results continue to pour in, early victories are already shaking up the country. Americans expressed a resounding anti-AI data center sentiment across local ballots. People took to the streets in Texas to celebrate its new Democratic governor, the first in decades, and the success of James Talarico’s viral campaign for Senate. The internet, a veritable feast of memes and emotional reactions, determined “Millennial Optimism” and “Woke 2.0” were back.
So without further ado, here are all of the history-making wins out of Tuesday’s already unprecedented midterm elections:
Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia
On Tuesday evening, Georgia governor-elect Bottoms became the first Black woman governor in the entire history of the United States. Bottoms is also the first Democrat to hold the office in 25 years, following a wave of support after Stacey Abrams’ widely-followed gubernatorial run in 2018.
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Deb Haaland in New Mexico
Haaland, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, became the first Native American woman to be elected governor, winning more than 57 percent of the New Mexico vote. Haaland campaigned on an explicit anti-Trump campaign, saying in her victory speech, “Democrats are entrusted to fight for our home. For New Mexico. Not New America.“
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Gina Hinojosa in Texas
As Texas shifted blue for the first time in decades, waves of Texas voters celebrated the victory of Democratic Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa. Hinojosa unseated former Gov. Greg Abbot and became the state’s first Latina governor.
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Xavier Becerra in California
Becerra, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, defeated Trump-endorsed Steve Hilton to become the first Latino governor elected by California voters and the first Latino in the role in 150 years. The state’s first Latino governor was Romualdo Pacheco, who was not voted into the role but succeeded the former governor in 1875.
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Amy Acton of Ohio
As Governor-elect of Ohio, Acton is the first woman elected into the role by voters. She beat controversial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to become the first Democrat in the governor’s mansion in 20 years.
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David Crowley of Wisconsin
Crowley is the first Black man elected Governor of Wisconsin. He defeated staunchly conservative representative Tom Tiffany as a near-unknown.
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Aaron Ford of Nevada
Current Attorney General of Nevada, Ford will be the state’s first Black governor after flipping the previously Republican held position. Ford is one of several state attorneys general who has led a wave of litigation against major tech companies, including Meta.
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Byron Daniels of Florida
The only Republican Governor-elect on the list, Daniels is Florida’s first Black governor. Daniels is one of many incoming and reelected Black governors, including Bottoms, Crowley, Ford, and Maryland incumbent Wes Moore.
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Chris Pappas of New Hampshire
Pappas, representing New Hampshire, became the first openly gay man elected into the U.S. Senate.
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Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota
Flanagan, current lieutenant governor of Minnesota, is the first Indigenous woman to hold a Senate position.
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Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan
In the culmination of an extremely viral campaign, El-Sayed won the Senate seat for Michigan. He is the country’s first Muslim senator.
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