The 2026 US midterm elections have produced several historic achievements, breaking long-standing barriers in American politics. While presidential elections often attract the most attention for making history, this year's midterms have also witnessed remarkable milestones across several states. Among the winners are the country's first Black woman governor and its first Muslim senator. Here are 10 candidates who made history through their victories.

1. First Black Woman Governor in US History

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican billionaire Rick Jackson in Georgia's gubernatorial election, becoming the first Black woman elected governor in US history. She is also set to become Georgia's first Black governor and its first female governor.

Bottoms served as Atlanta's mayor from 2018 to 2022. During her campaign, she highlighted her record as mayor and her opposition to the Donald Trump administration.

2. First Muslim Member of the US Senate

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed made history by winning Michigan's closely contested Senate election. He defeated Republican candidate Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim member of the US Senate.

Throughout the campaign, El-Sayed faced attacks over immigration from Rogers and criticism from President Donald Trump, who publicly supported his Republican opponent.

3. California's First Latino Governor

Former US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra won California's gubernatorial election after emerging from a competitive Democratic primary. He became the state's first directly elected Latino governor.

Becerra defeated conservative media personality and Republican candidate Steve Hilton. The son of Mexican immigrants, he will lead a state where more than 40 percent of the population is Latino.

4. Texas' First Latino Governor

Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa stunned political observers by defeating three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott in Texas.

Her victory made her the state's first Latino governor and the first Democrat to win the governorship since 1990.

During her campaign, Hinojosa focused on reducing living costs, property taxes and healthcare expenses, while opposing the construction of new data centres across the state.

5. First Indigenous Woman Governor

Former Biden administration Interior Secretary Deb Haaland won New Mexico's gubernatorial election by a significant margin. She became the first Indigenous woman elected governor in the United States.

A registered member of the Laguna Pueblo community, Haaland previously made history as the first Indigenous person to serve in a US presidential Cabinet.

6. Florida's First Black Governor

Republican candidate Byron Donalds made history by becoming Florida's first Black governor, succeeding Ron DeSantis.

A three-term congressman, Donalds received strong support from Donald Trump. His campaign focused primarily on reducing living costs and property taxes.

7. First Openly Gay Man Elected to the Senate

New Hampshire Representative Chris Pappas defeated Republican candidate John Sununu to win a seat in the US Senate.

His victory made him the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. After the result, Pappas thanked voters for standing by him despite what he described as misleading attacks during the campaign.

8. First Indigenous Woman in the Senate

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won a seat in the US Senate, becoming its first Indigenous woman member.

Flanagan, who has served as Minnesota's lieutenant governor since 2019, belongs to the White Earth Nation and the Ojibwe community.

9. Wisconsin's First Black Governor

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley became Wisconsin's first Black governor after defeating Republican candidate Tom Tiffany.

Crowley had initially withdrawn from the race for personal reasons but later returned following a request from outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers.

10. Ohio's First Female Governor

Democratic candidate Amy Acton made history by becoming Ohio's first female governor. She defeated Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Acton previously served as Ohio's health department director and became a prominent figure during the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She later stepped down from the position amid strong protests.