Black candidates made history in Tuesday’s (November 3) midterm elections, breaking barriers in governors’ offices, the U.S. Senate and other statewide positions. From becoming the first Black women elected to statewide offices to increasing Black representation in Congress, their victories marked significant milestones across the country.
Several candidates also made history in states where Black Americans had never held certain elected positions. Others reached milestones in local government and congressional leadership, adding to a growing number of Black elected officials serving in positions of influence. Their wins highlight the importance of representation across all levels of government.
Here are some of the Black candidates whose Election Day victories made history.
Governors
Keisha Lance Bottoms (D), Georgia
Keisha Lance Bottoms made history as the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history, becoming Georgia's first woman and first Black governor, according to The New York Times.
She is also the first Democrat to win the state's highest office since 1998. Bottoms previously served as Atlanta's mayor and as a senior adviser in the Biden administration.
Byron Donalds (R), Florida
Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly to become Florida's first Black governor, according to NBC News. His victory also makes him the first Black Republican elected governor in U.S. history.
Donalds represented Florida's 19th Congressional District before entering the gubernatorial race.
David Crowley (D), Wisconsin
Democrat David Crowley defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany to become Wisconsin's first Black governor, according to WisPolitics. Crowley, 40, previously served as Milwaukee County executive, becoming the first Black person elected to that position in 2020. His victory also makes him the first Milwaukee Democrat elected governor since 1890. Before Tuesday, only three Black people had been elected governor of a U.S. state.
Aaron Ford (D), Nevada
Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford defeated Republican incumbent Gov. Joe Lombardo to become Nevada's first Black governor, according to NPR. Ford, who has served as the state's attorney general since 2019, will also become the first Black governor of a state west of the Mississippi River.
Stacey Plaskett (D), U.S. Virgin Islands
Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett made history by winning the U.S. Virgin Islands gubernatorial race alongside her running mate, Milton Potter, with the pair receiving 62.8% of the vote, according to the Virgin Islands Consortium. Plaskett's victory makes her the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. territory. She has represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in Congress since 2015.
With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s reelection, five Black governors (Bottoms, Donalds, Crowley, Ford and Moore) will serve at the same time in U.S. states for the first time in history.
U.S. Senate
Juliana Stratton (D), Illinois
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton defeated Republican Don Tracy to win the state's open U.S. Senate seat, making her the fifth Black woman elected to the chamber, according to Capital News Illinois. Her victory also makes history by bringing the number of Black women serving in the Senate simultaneously to three for the first time, alongside Sens. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.
U.S. House
Melat Kiros (D), Colorado’s 1st District
Democrat Melat Kiros defeated Republican Christy Peterson to win Colorado's 1st Congressional District. At 29, Kiros will become the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress, as well as the first Black woman elected to represent Colorado in the U.S. House, according to NPR. An attorney and doctoral student, Kiros previously made headlines in June after defeating longtime Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in the party's primary.
State & Local
Adrienne Adams (D), New York
Adrienne Adams will become the first Black woman elected lieutenant governor of New York, according to amNY. Before entering the statewide race, she served as speaker of the New York City Council, becoming the first Black person to hold that position. During her tenure, Adams focused on issues including housing affordability, public safety and support for working families.
Penny Brown Reynolds (D), Georgia
Brown Reynolds will become the first Black woman elected Georgia secretary of state, according to CBS News. The position oversees the state's elections, business registrations and professional licensing. Robyn Crittenden, who previously served as Georgia's first Black secretary of state, was appointed to the role in 2018 rather than elected.
Tanya Miller (D), Georgia
Democratic state Rep. Tanya Miller defeated Republican state Sen. Brian Strickland to become Georgia's next attorney general, according to 11Alive. A former prosecutor, Miller made history as the first woman and first Black woman elected to the office. She will also become the second Black person to serve as Georgia's attorney general.
Janeese Lewis George (D), Washington, D.C. Mayor
D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George defeated her challengers to become the city's next mayor, according to The Associated Press. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Lewis George will become Washington's first democratic socialist mayor. She will succeed Mayor Muriel Bowser, who did not seek reelection.
Letitia Plummer (D), Harris County Judge
Former Houston City Councilmember Letitia Plummer defeated Republican Orlando Sanchez to become the next Harris County judge, according to Axios. Her victory makes her the first Black person and first Muslim elected to the position, which leads the government of Texas' most populous county. Plummer, a dentist, will succeed Lina Hidalgo.
Tiffany Moore Russell, Orange County Mayor
Tiffany Moore Russell defeated Chris Messina to become Orange County's next mayor, according to Central Florida Public Media. Her victory makes her the first Black woman elected to lead the Florida county. Moore Russell previously served as Orange County clerk of courts.
Too Close to Call
Scott Colom (D), Mississippi U.S. Senate
If elected, Scott Colom would become Mississippi’s first Black U.S. senator since Blanche K. Bruce left office in 1881.
Potential History in January 2027
Hakeem Jeffries (D), U.S. House
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is poised to make history as the first Black Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after Democrats were projected to regain control of the chamber in the midterm elections, according to ABC News. Jeffries, who represents New York's 8th Congressional District, has led House Democrats since January 2023. He is expected to replace Republican Speaker Mike Johnson when the new Congress convenes in January, although members must formally elect him to the position.
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