Voters elect nine historic governors in sweeping midterm shifts
Nine states chose leaders who break racial, gender, and partisan records, including the first Black woman and first Native American woman to hold the office.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Voters in nine states redefined the nation's gubernatorial bench on Tuesday, electing leaders who represent historic firsts in race, gender, and party affiliation. The results mark a sharp departure from recent political norms, with Democrats and Republicans both claiming seats previously held by men or other demographic groups. These victories reshape the balance of power in statehouses from California to Florida.
Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson to become Georgia's first Black woman governor. The 56-year-old former Atlanta mayor also becomes the first Democrat to win the race in the state in more than two decades. Her opponent, Jackson, is a billionaire health care executive who ran on a conservative platform. Bottoms served as an adviser to former President Joe Biden before returning to state politics.
In New Mexico, Deb Haaland secured a victory over Republican Gregg Hull, becoming the first Native American woman governor. Haaland, who is of Pueblo Indian descent, previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Interior secretary in the Biden administration. Her win adds to a personal history of firsts, as she was among the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first Native American cabinet secretary.
Latino representation expanded in two major states on Tuesday. Xavier Becerra won the California governor's race, defeating Republican Steve Hilton. Becerra, a former U.S. attorney general and HHS secretary, will succeed Gavin Newsom. In Texas, state representative Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Greg Abbott. Her victory makes her the first Latina governor of Texas and the state's first Democratic governor in over 30 years. Abbott, a prominent ally of President Trump, lost his bid for a third term.
Florida and Wisconsin each elected their first Black governors. Byron Donalds, a Republican member of Congress, won in Florida by campaigning on affordability and continuity with outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. He defeated Democrat David Jolly despite a massive war chest and the backing of President Trump. In Wisconsin, Democrat David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, defeated Congressman Tom Tiffany. Crowley suspended his campaign during the primary but reentered with support from Governor Tony Evers, citing his record as a deal maker.
Three women secured historic wins in other states. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican senator, defeated Jerri Green in Tennessee, becoming the first woman to win the governor's race there. Her campaign focused on immigration and government spending. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, defeated House Speaker Lisa Demuth in Minnesota. Klobuchar becomes the first woman governor of the state, a role that would have gone to Demuth had she won.
The biggest upset of the night occurred in Ohio, where Democrat Amy Acton defeated Vivek Ramaswamy. Acton, the former state chief public health officer, becomes the first woman and first Jewish person elected to the office. She is also the first Democrat to hold the seat in two decades. The campaign was marked by late-stage negative advertising that drew national criticism.
