US midterms bring surge of historic firsts for women and members of minority groups

Yes, the 2026 midterms will be remembered for the astonishing number of losses that Democrats handed to President Donald Trump. But in the background, something perhaps equally seismic unfolded: a wave of firsts that elevated into high office members of groups that had, until now, been kept largely at the margins. Read moreMidterms live: Democrats win control of House and Senate as GOP suffers historic losses There were cheers and happy tears at election parties from New Mexico to Georgia late Tuesday once it became clear voters had elected the country's first Black female governor, the first Native American female governor, the first Native female senator and the first openly gay male US senator. By early Wednesday, the first Muslim US senator was also added to the list of barrier-breaking milestones. The astonishing blue wave also means the United States will likely have its first-ever Black speaker of the House. Read moreWhy the Democrats routed the Republicans in the US midterm elections Most of these firsts are Democrats, but the GOP has also broken some new ground. While some of these candidates have avoided focusing on the inherent historic value of their race, gender, relig...