The winners of the 2026 elections in the USA, from the local to the national level, will make history through several firsts.
Among these are the election of the first Black woman to the position of governor and the first openly gay American senator, writes CNN.
In the context of President Donald Trump preparing to enter the second half of his second term, both parties will have a diverse group of newly elected officials among their ranks, at both the state and federal levels.
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Here are some of the people who will become the first to hold certain positions in the history of the United States.
1. The first Black woman elected governor
Keisha Lance Bottoms is set to become the first person of color to hold the office of governor of the state of Georgia, the first woman to hold this position in the state, and the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
Bottoms was mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and was among the women considered by President Joe Biden for the vice-presidential position in the 2020 elections. Later, she joined his administration.
Bottoms defeated Rick Jackson, supported by Donald Trump, and her campaign focused on expanding access to health insurance through the Medicaid program, reducing taxes for homeowners, and increasing funding for education.
2. The first openly gay American senator
Chris Pappas is set to become the first openly gay senator in U.S. history after winning the race in New Hampshire.
The result allows the Democrats to retain an important seat in a state that Republicans considered one of their best opportunities to win a Senate seat.
Pappas is a four-term congressman representing the southeastern part of New Hampshire.
3. The first Black governor of Florida
Byron Donalds is set to become the first Black governor of Florida. During his campaign, he promised tax reforms, regulation of data centers, and support for Donald Trump's agenda, in a state that has become increasingly Republican.
Donalds enjoyed strong support from the American president from the very beginning of the election race.
After taking office, the USA will have three Black governors in office, with different political orientations: Republican Byron Donalds in Florida, Democrat Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, who is credited with winning a new term, and Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia.
4. The first woman elected senator in South Carolina
Annie Andrews is set to become the first woman elected senator in South Carolina. She defeated the appointed senator Darline Graham and won a seat that Republicans had held for nearly three decades.
Donald Trump intervened in the appointment process of Graham, who occupied the seat left vacant after the sudden death in July of his brother, the famous senator Lindsey Graham. The president's support for a person without significant political experience sparked controversy in South Carolina, a strongly Republican state.
In her short political career, Graham tried to present herself as more conservative than her brother. She distanced herself from some of his positions, including on eliminating the filibuster procedure in the Senate and a tougher approach to immigration, in order to align with Trump.
On the other hand, Andrews presented herself as a moderate, independent candidate concerned with the cost of living, quality of life, and fighting corruption.
5. The first Hispanic governor of Texas
Gina Hinojosa is set to become the first person of Hispanic origin elected governor of Texas, after defeating Republican Greg Abbott, who held the position for nearly 12 years.
The two candidates had divergent positions during the campaign, including on social issues such as abortion.
Hinojosa, 52, is a member of the state legislature and an attorney. She will be the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards in 1990, and only the third woman to hold this office.
6. The first Black woman from Colorado elected to Congress
Melat Kiros is set to become the first Black woman from Colorado elected to Congress.
Kiros, a 29-year-old attorney who identifies as a democratic socialist, is also part of Generation Z represented in Congress, being one of the youngest members of the House of Representatives.
7. The first Muslim member of Congress from New Jersey
Adam Hamawy is set to become the first Muslim member of Congress elected from New Jersey.
Hamawy is a retired military surgeon who participated in combat missions with the U.S. Army and is a vehement critic of Israel. He is part of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and supports the introduction of a Medicare-style health insurance system for all Americans, as well as the cancellation of medical and student debt.
8. The first Native American woman from New York elected to Congress
Claire Valdez is set to become the first Native American woman from New York elected to Congress.
Valdez, who is in her first term in the state legislature, marks a new victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Her influence has grown also due to the popularity of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has declared his support for Valdez.
9. The first openly gay member of Congress from Michigan
Jeremy Moss is set to become the first openly gay member of Congress from Michigan.
Moss was a state senator before being elected to Congress. He will fill the seat left vacant after Congresswoman Haley Stevens resigned to run for Senate but lost the primary elections.
10. The first woman elected governor of Ohio
Amy Acton is set to become the first woman elected governor of Ohio and the first Democrat to win this office since 2006.
Acton, a physician by profession, defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in an election race that attracted national attention, including due to a controversial campaign ad.
During the campaign, Acton emphasized reducing the cost of living. She proposed lowering property taxes for middle-income earners and seniors, as well as suspending the authorization of new data centers unless they cover their own utility costs.
11. The first Latino governor elected in California
Xavier Becerra is set to become the first Latino governor elected in California, maintaining Democratic control over the most populous American state.
A former congressman, California attorney general, and Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Biden administration, Becerra won a crowded and tense primary election and will succeed Governor Gavin Newsom.
Supported by California’s strongly liberal electorate and the favorable political context for Democrats in the midterm elections, Becerra repeatedly associated his Republican opponent, Steve Hilton, with Donald Trump. He criticized the president’s support for his adversary and called on Democrats to send a message of opposition to the Trump administration.