Nine States Elect Historic Governors in Sweeping Midterm Shift
Voters in Georgia, Texas, California, and six other states selected leaders who break racial, gender, or partisan barriers.
By Nadia Singh ·
Tuesday's midterm elections resulted in nine gubernatorial winners who will serve as firsts for their states or the nation. The outcomes span a range of racial, ethnic, and gender milestones that redefine the political map of the United States.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, won the governorship in Georgia. At 56, she becomes the first Black woman elected governor in any state. Her victory over Republican Rick Jackson marks the first time a Democrat has won that office in Georgia in more than two decades.
In New Mexico, Deb Haaland defeated Gregg Hull to become 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 under President Joe Biden. Both prior roles were also firsts for a Native American woman.
Latinx representation expanded in the West and South. Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, won the California governor's race. He defeated Republican Steve Hilton and will succeed Gavin Newsom. Becerra is the first elected Latino governor of the state. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa, a state representative, defeated incumbent Greg Abbott. She is the first Latina governor of Texas and the first Democrat to hold the office in over 30 years.
Florida and Wisconsin each elected their first Black governors. Byron Donalds, a Republican congressman, won in Florida after receiving backing from President Donald Trump. He defeated Democrat David Jolly by campaigning on affordability and continuity with outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis. In Wisconsin, Democrat David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, defeated Republican Tom Tiffany. Crowley campaigned on his record as a bipartisan dealmaker after reentering the race following a primary setback.
Tennessee and Minnesota also elected their first female governors. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican senator, defeated Democrat Jerri Green and independent candidates to win in Tennessee. Her campaign focused on immigration, trade with China, and government spending. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, won in Minnesota against Republican Lisa Demuth, the speaker of the state House. Klobuchar will assume office in January.
Ohio voters selected Amy Acton as their next governor, a result that defied early expectations. The Democrat, who served as the state’s chief public health officer during the pandemic, defeated Vivek Ramaswamy. Her win makes her the first woman and first Jewish person to hold the office in Ohio. The race was marked by intense negative advertising in its final weeks.
These nine victories represent a distinct shift in state leadership. The winners include four Democrats and four Republicans, with the remaining race undecided or not specified in the immediate results. Each leader brings a unique background that had not previously been represented in their state's executive office.
