The 2025 elections were a big success for Democrats across the country, as the party raked in a series of crucial wins across the country, some of which were historic, delivering a huge blow to Republicans and President Donald Trump a year into his second term in office.
Below is a list of the candidates who shattered the glass ceiling with their elections on Tuesday night.
Ghazala Hashmi
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi is on track to become the first Muslim woman in the U.S. to be elected to a statewide office following her victory over radio show host, Republican John Reid, in Virginia’s lieutenant governor’s race.
Hashmi, an Indian immigrant who moved to the U.S. as a child, was the target of Islamophobic attacks from Reid during the campaign. She previously made history as the first Muslim American woman to be elected to serve in Virginia’s legislature.
Zohran Mamdani
Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is projected to win the New York City mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim and South Asia mayor, its first millennial mayor and its youngest in more than a century, at 34 years old.
Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic primary, and Curtis Sliwa, the GOP nominee, in a race that also generated historic turnout, with over 2 million votes cast, according to data cited by city election officials.
Mary Sheffield
City Council President Mary Sheffield is on track to soon take office as Detroit’s next mayor, making history as the first woman to be elected to serve in the position.
Sheffield will succeed Mike Duggan in the role, who has decided against pursuing a fourth term and is now running for Michigan governor to succeed outgoing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who is not eligible to seek reelection due to term limits.
Mikie Sherrill
Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and a former federal prosecutor, is projected to win the New Jersey gubernatorial contest, making her the first female Democratic candidate to take the top job after defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican, was the first woman to be elected as governor of the state.
Abigail Spanberger
Another Virginia candidate made history in the 2025 election. Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger will soon be sworn in as the state’s first female governor, following her projected victory over Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee who never secured an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Spanberger will also be the first Democratic governor in her state to serve with a Democratic trifecta in about 40 years.
