While picking the bones out of the Republican Party’s midterms wipeout, it’s striking how many “firsts” were achieved as politicians from often marginalized groups — and both major parties — reached the highest offices in the country.
Here are some of the history-makers:
First Black Female Governor In U.S. History
When Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms was declared the winner of the governor’s race in Georgia, she became the first Black woman elected as a state governor in 250 years of U.S. history.
The former Atlanta mayor defeated Republican Rick Jackson, a billionaire healthcare tycoon, to become the state’s first Democratic governor in 23 years.
“I know I am standing on shoulders made of steel,” Bottoms, 56, said in her victory speech, in which she vowed to be a “governor for everyone in this state.”
First Black Governors In Florida, Wisconsin And Nevada
Republican Byron Donalds (Florida), Democrat David Crowley (Wisconsin), and Aaron Ford (Nevada), also a Democrat, were elected as the first Black governors of their states.
Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly to also become the first Black Republican governor ever in the U.S.
Crowley’s win over Republican Tom Tiffany marks the first time in Wisconsin’s 178-year history that Democrats will hold the governor’s office for more than eight consecutive years.
Ford, the state’s attorney general, ousted Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo.
First Latino Governor In Texas
Texas voters rejected Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in favor of Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who will be the state’s first Latina governor.
The state hasn’t elected a Democrat or a woman to the governor’s mansion since 1990.
“Everything is bigger in Texas, including the shock of this win,” Hinojosa told supporters, adding: “With a Texas chip on our shoulder. We showed that anything is possible.”
Elsewhere, Xavier Becerra, former California attorney general, saw off Republican Steve Hilton to become California’s first Latino governor since Romualdo Pacheco in 1875.
First Native American Female Governor
In defeating Republican Greggory D. Hull to be declared governor of New Mexico, Democrat Deb Haaland became the first Native American female governor in U.S. history.
“Tonight, in our nation’s 250th year, I stand before you as the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history,” Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo citizen, said in her victory speech.
Oklahoma was the only state to have elected a tribal citizen for governor.
First Female Governors In Minnesota, Tennessee And Ohio
Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar was elected Minnesota governor, defeating Republican state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, to become the first woman to lead the state.
In Tennessee, Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn beat Democrat Jerri Green, a Memphis city councilwoman, and will serve as the state’s first female governor.
Democrat Amy Acton will become the first woman elected governor of Ohio after beating Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire. She will be the first Democrat to serve in the office in two decades.
First Muslim U.S. Senator
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed becomes the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate after winning a brutal battle against Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan’s seat.
El-Sayed, a self-styled progressive, faced a series of Islamophobic attacks from Rogers, President Donald Trump and other national Republicans.
“You took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates,” El-Sayed, a doctor and former Detroit health care worker, told a crowd in the aftermath of victory.
First Native Female U.S. Senator
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has become the first Native American woman in the U.S. Senate.
A citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Flanagan beat Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports reporter.
First Openly Gay Male U.S. Senator
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu in New Hampshire. With the win, Pappas becomes the first openly gay male U.S. senator.
In his acceptance speech, the 46-year-old Democrat thanked his husband, Vann Bentley, as the crowd cheered them on.
“I’m the luckiest guy because I’m married to a man that I love,” he added.