The historic firsts of Election Day 2026, from Atlanta to Capitol Hill

In a day of historic firsts, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia will become the nation's first Black woman governor, and Hakeem Jeffries is in line to be the first Black Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, due to Democrats' dramatic wave of victories Nov. 3.

Texas Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinajosa is projected to become the first Hispanic governor of the Lone Star state, and the first Democratic governor in more than three decades.

Fellow Democrat Deb Haaland of New Mexico is also projected to win that state's governor race, which would make her the first Native American woman to serve as a governor of any state. She previously made history as the first Native American woman in Congress and the first Native American woman in the Biden administration cabinet.

Haaland is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna. She also has Jemez Pueblo heritage.

The Democratic nominee for Senate in Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, is likely to win the Senate race in that blue-leaning state and become the first Native American woman in the Senate.

Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, might be joined in the historic moment in the Senate by Yup'ik Alaska Native and former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, if she ousts incumbent Alaska GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan. However, Alaska's results could take up to two weeks to be reported.

Illinois will make history as the first state to have two women of color serving simultaneously in the U.S. Senate. Democratic Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton defeated Republican challenger Don Tracy on Nov. 3. Stratton, who is Black and the heavy favorite, will join Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who is Asian American.

"All across the board, we're seeing history being made with the statements made by these accomplished women," National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial told USA TODAY. "There might be more to come."

Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, was the second Black woman to run for Georgia governor after former Georgia State Rep. Stacey Abrams lost in both 2018 and 2022 as the Democratic nominee.

Hakeem Jeffries poised to be first Black speaker of the House

Additionally, Hakeem Jeffries will become the first Black speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after Democrats were projected to win control of the chamber.

The New York lawmaker is now fast-tracked to the position that follows the vice president in the line of presidential succession, as well as leading a revitalized Democratic Party during President Donald Trump 's final two years in the White House.

"America is alive and well," Jeffries said in a late Election Day post on X .

Rep. Chris Pappas wins, becomes first openly gay male senator

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas will become the first openly gay man to serve in the U.S. Senate after defeating former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu for New Hampshire's open Senate seat.

Pappas, a popular Democrat who has consistently won the historically purple 1st Congressional District, faced a serious challenge in Sununu , one of the more popular political families in the state, as polls had shown a single-digit contest throughout the campaign.

Pappas' victory holds a crucial Senate seat for Democrats as they hope to take the Senate majority. The seat was open after Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's retirement.

Byron Donalds becomes Florida's first Black governor

Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds also made history by becoming Florida's first Black governor.

The favored Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly. Donalds' win marked the first time in eight years Floridians have picked a new governor to replace soon-to-be termed-out Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Donalds received President Donald Trump's endorsement, but briefly distanced himself from the president as Trump's approval ratings hit new lows. On the campaign trail, Donalds said making Florida more affordable, lowering prescription prices, cutting taxes and insurance rates, and driving down housing costs were among his top priorities.

In addition to making history, Donalds' win continues the trend of Republicans winning every gubernatorial election in the Sunshine State since 1998.

David Crowley becomes Wisconsin's first Black governor

In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive and Democrat David Crowley defeated Republican Tom Tiffany to become the state's first Black governor in an odds-defying run that included suspending his campaign just four months ago and being massively outspent by the GOP.

Crowley will also be only the third governor to be born in Milwaukee, the state's largest city. At age 40, Crowley will be the youngest Wisconsin governor in almost a century.

"Thank you for placing your faith in me. That's ultimately what voting is. A tremendous act of faith," Crowley said at a campaign event in Milwaukee. "Not faith in one person or party, but faith in the ideas and the lessons learned − that the right leadership can make a difference in people's lives."