Women make history in governor, congressional races in 2026 midterms

The 2026 midterm elections resulted in a number of historic firsts, particularly for female candidates running for governor and in U.S. House and Senate races.

Across the country, voters in 17 states elected a female governor on Tuesday, setting a new record, according to Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics.

In Georgia, Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms is projected to win, making her the state's first-ever female governor and the nation's first-ever Black female governor.

In Tennessee, Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn's projected win will make her the first woman to win a gubernatorial race in the state, while Democrat Amy Acton's projected win will make her the first woman elected governor in Ohio.

The Texas gubernatorial race is also projected to see a historic first, with Democratic Rep. Gina Hinojosa becoming the state's first Latina governor.

Other states with newly elected or reelected female governors include New Mexico (Democrat Deb Haaland), Michigan (Democrat Jocelyn Benson), Arkansas (Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders), Oregon (Democrat Tina Kotek), New Hampshire (Republican Kelly Ayotte), Minnesota (Democrat Amy Klobuchar) and Rhode Island (Democrat Helena Foulkes).

Female gubernatorial nominees had already set a record in the run-up to Election Day, with 26 women as major-party nominees overall, one more than the 2022 record of 25.

Women also made history in Senate and House races across the country on Tuesday.

Democrat Peggy Flanagan will become the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate after her projected win in Minnesota.

In Illinois, Democrat Juliana Stratton's projected U.S. Senate win means there will be three Black women serving in the Senate at the same time, with Stratton joining current Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland.

Stratton's win also makes Illinois the first state to be represented by two women-of-color senators, according to the Center for American Women and Politics , as she will serve alongside current Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a fellow Democrat.

Democrat Annie Andrews' projected win in South Carolina for Senate makes her the state's first-ever elected female senator.

In Colorado, Democrat Melat Kiros won the 1st Congressional District race, making her the first Black woman elected to Congress in the history of the state.

Democrat Denise Powell's projected win in Nebraska will make her the first Latina to represent the state in Congress, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

While many historic firsts were made, the Center for American Women and Politics reports that as of now, 139 women are projected to serve in the 120th Congress beginning in January, down slightly from the 152 women serving currently.

In statewide offices, including governor, more women than ever will hold office after Tuesday's election, at 101 women total, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

And Black women are also making history at the statewide level, with at least 18 set to serve in statewide elective executive office, up from the previous record of 11.