History in US as Americans elect first Muslim, native American senators, other firsts too

The US midterm elections made history with the election of some candidates.

America elected its first Muslim senator, first female Native American senator, first openly gay senator, and first Gen Z woman to serve in Congress. It also elected its first black female governor and its first female native American governor.

The election has been dubbed the ‘Blue Tsunami’ as the Democratic Party won seats in both the House and Senate by a landslide.

Although most of the firsts are Democrats, a more diverse and inclusive party, the Republican Party has also broken some new ground.

In Michigan, voters elected Democrat Abdul El-Sayed to the Senate. Mr El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Roger and became the first ​Muslim elected to the chamber.

His win denied Republicans ​a chance to flip the seat of retiring Democratic Senator ​Gary Peters in the state.

American voters in Minnesota also elected Democratic candidate Peggy Flanagan to the Senate.

She becomes the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate, a distinction she may share with Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola if the latter wins her race.

Ms Flanagan, a two-term lieutenant governor, defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter and conservative podcaster.

Chris Pappas, another democratic candidate, also won the New Hampshire seat and has become the first openly gay man to be elected to the Senate.

A 29-year-old Democrat, Melat Kiros, was elected as the congressional representative from Colorado’s 1st District.

She is the first Gen Z woman to be elected to the House. Her win reflects the growing public demand for young voices in politics.

The Democratic Party is estimated to have won a Senate majority, with 54 seats to 44 for the Republicans as of this report. In the House, Democrats hold 231 seats to the Republicans’ 139.

Voters are also making history in the gubernatorial election.

Keisha Bottoms has become the first black woman to be elected governor in US history after winning Georgia’s gubernatorial election

The democrat and former Atlanta mayor also became Georgia’s first Black governor after defeating billionaire Republican Rick Jackson.

Former US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland also became the first Native American woman to be elected governor.

READ ALSO: Why my party lost in US Midterms – Trump

The Democrat won the governorship election in New Mexico over Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor.

The US also went from having only three black people elected governor throughout its history to electing several overnight.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the country’s third elected Black governor and its only one currently in office, won re-election.

At the same time, Republican Byron Donalds won the Florida gubernatorial election and became the state’s first Black governor.

Democratic candidate David Crowley also became Wisconsin’s first black governor.