Nine States Elect Historic Firsts in Gubernatorial Races

Voters in nine states selected governors on Tuesday who are making history through their identities. The election results mark a shift in state leadership across the United States. Several candidates are the first in their specific demographic groups to hold the office.

Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor's race in Georgia. The 56-year-old Democrat will be the first Black woman elected governor of any state. She served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022. Before that, she advised former President Joe Biden. Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson. Her win makes her the first Democrat to win a governor's race in Georgia in more than two decades.

Deb Haaland of New Mexico will become the first Native American woman governor. The Democrat defeated Republican Gregg Hull. Haaland is of Pueblo Indian descent. She previously served in Congress and as Interior secretary. Those roles were also firsts for her. She was one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first Native American cabinet secretary.

Xavier Becerra will be the first elected Latino governor of California. The Democrat defeated Republican Steve Hilton. Becerra served as California attorney general and as U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services. He will succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Greg Abbott. Hinojosa will be the first Latina governor of Texas. She is also the first Democratic governor in the state in more than 30 years.

Florida voters chose Byron Donalds as their new governor. He is the first Black governor in the state's history. The Republican defeated Democrat David Jolly. Donalds campaigned on affordability and conservative politics. In Wisconsin, David Crowley won the race. He is the first Black governor of Wisconsin. The Democrat defeated Republican Tom Tiffany. Crowley served as Milwaukee County executive before winning the office.

Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee will be the first woman governor in the state. The Republican defeated Democrat Jerri Green and independent candidates. Her campaign focused on immigration and government spending. In Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar defeated Republican Lisa Demuth. Klobuchar will be the first woman governor of Minnesota. Demuth would have also been a historic first.

Amy Acton of Ohio defeated Vivek Ramaswamy to become governor. She is the first woman elected to the office in Ohio. She is also the first Jewish governor of the state. Acton served as the state's chief public health officer during the pandemic. Her victory makes her the first Democrat to serve as governor of Ohio in two decades.