Published: November 5, 2026: 'Midterm Elections 2026: Ten Historic Firsts' by ZUMA Press Photo-journalists: The 2026 U.S. midterm elections marked a milestone for representation across state and federal government and ZUMA Press photo-journalists covered these historic events. Keisha Lance Bottoms (GA) became the nation's first Black female governor, while Abdul El-Sayed (MI) became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. Gubernatorial barrier-breaking continued as Xavier Becerra (CA) became California's first elected Latino governor, Gina Hinojosa (TX) was elected as Texas's first Latina governor, Deb Haaland (NM) became the first female Native American governor, Byron Donalds (FL) became Florida's first Black governor, David Crowley (WI) and Aaron Ford (NV) won as their states' first Black governors, and Amy Acton (OH), Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Marsha Blackburn (TN) became their states' first female governors. The U.S. Senate saw further breakthroughs with Chris Pappas (NH) as its first openly gay male member and Peggy Flanagan (MN) as the first Native American woman elected to the upper chamber. Welcome to 'Midterm Elections 2026: Ten Historic Firsts'
© zReportage.com Issue #1060 Story of the Week: Published: November 5, 2026: 'Midterm Elections 2026: Ten Historic Firsts' by ZUMA Press Photo-journalists: The 2026 U.S. midterm elections marked a milestone for representation across state and federal government and ZUMA Press photo-journalists covered these historic events. Keisha Lance Bottoms (GA became the nation's first Black female governor, while Abdul El-Sayed (MI became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. Gubernatorial barrier-breaking continued as Xavier Becerra (CA became California's first elected Latino governor, Gina Hinojosa (TX was elected as Texas's first Latina governor, Deb Haaland (NM became the first female Native American governor, Byron Donalds (FL became Florida's first Black governor, David Crowley (WI and Aaron Ford (NV won as their states' first Black governors, and Amy Acton (OH, Amy Klobuchar (MN, and Marsha Blackburn (TN became their states' first female governors. The U.S. Senate saw further breakthroughs with Chris Pappas (NH as its first openly gay male member and Peggy Flanagan (MN as the first Native American woman elected to the upper chamber. Welcome to 'Midterm Elections 2026: Ten Historic Firsts'
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, won victory over Republican billionaire Rick Jackson in the Georgia governor's race to become the first Black female governor in the country. File Image: October 18, 2026, Marietta, Georgia, USA: Former Atlanta Mayor and Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS addresses a large crowd at a rally as early voting gets underway in Georgia.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, won victory over Republican billionaire Rick Jackson in the Georgia governor's race to become the first Black female governor in the country. File Image: October 17, 2026, Atlanta, Georgia, USA: KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS at United for Georgia Rally at Cobb Convention Center Atlanta.
© Derek Storm/ZUMA Press Wire
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, won victory over Republican billionaire Rick Jackson in the Georgia governor's race to become the first Black female governor in the country. File Image: October 28, 2026, Morrow, Georgia, USA: Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate and former Atlanta Mayor KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS greets the election rally crowd in Morrow, Georgia.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's highly contested Senate race, defeating Republican Mike Rogers to become the chamber's first Muslim member. File Image: November 2, 2026, Detroit, Michigan, USA: Dr. ABDUL EL-SAYED, the Democratic nominee for US Senate, speaks at the Majestic Theater Detroit, MI during a final GOTV rally before the midterm elections..
© Dominic Gwinn/ZUMA Press Wire
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's highly contested Senate race, defeating Republican Mike Rogers to become the chamber's first Muslim member. File Image: October 24, 2026, Detroit, Michigan, USA: ABDUL EL-SAYED, candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks at a Michigan Democrats Get Out the Vote Rally at Cass Technical High School in Detroit.
© Dominick Sokotoff/ZUMA Press Wire
Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's highly contested Senate race, defeating Republican Mike Rogers to become the chamber's first Muslim member. File Image: October 24, 2026, Detroit, Michigan, USA: Former U.S. President BARACK OBAMA embraces ABDUL EL-SAYED, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Michigan, before speaking at a rally for Democratic candidates at Cass Technical High School in Detroit.
© Kyle Mazza/CNP via ZUMA Press Wire
Xavier Becerra has made history as the state's first elected Latino governor. File Image: November 1, 2026, Los Angeles, California, USA: XAVIER BECERRA, the Democratic candidate for governor of California, speaks to the crowd during the ''Stop the Power Grab'' rally at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
© Jackson Tammariello/ZUMA Press Wire
November 1, 2026, Hollywood, California, USA: An attendee wearing a Becerra shirt cheers in support at a campaign event for California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra at the Hollywood Palladium in California.
© Ghawam Kouchaki/ZUMA Press Wire
Xavier Becerra has made history as the state's first elected Latino governor. File Image: May 11, 2026: Gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks during his 'Fighting for the California Dream' tour hometown rally at Sacramento State University. Becerra has served in the California State Assembly, U.S. Congress, as California attorney general and as U.S. secretary of Health.
© Paul Kitagaki Jr./ZUMA Press Wire
Democrat Gina Hinojosa pulled off a stunning upset, unseating the three-term governor Greg Abbott to become Texas's first Latina governor. File Image: November 3, 2026: Austin, Texas, USA: GINA HINOJOSA wins historic election for governor in Texas. She gave her victory speech and thanked her family, friends, and supporters. The room was full of excitement and teary eyes.
© Sandra Dahdah/ZUMA Press Wire
Democrat Gina Hinojosa pulled off a stunning upset, unseating the three-term governor Greg Abbott to become Texas's first Latina governor. File Image: October 29, 2026, Plano, New York, USA: GINA HINOJOSA gives a speech at midterm election rally as a Democratic Gubernatorial candidate a at a local library in Plano, Texas.
© Laura Brett/ZUMA Press Wire
Democrat Gina Hinojosa pulled off a stunning upset, unseating the three-term governor Greg Abbott to become Texas's first Latina governor. File Image: November 1, 2026, San Antonio, Texas, USA: Democratic candidate for Texas governor GINA HINOJOSA talks to members of the teacher's union as she campaigns ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections.
© Bob Daemmrich/ZUMA Press Wire
Deb Haaland, the former US interior secretary, comfortably won New Mexico's gubernatorial race to become the first female Native American governor. Haaland is a member of Laguna Pueblo. File Image: November 15, 2025, Austin, Texas, USA: DEB HAALAND candidate for New Mexico Governor, speaks at the Texas Tribune Festival, the annual gathering of notables from the worlds of politics and public policy.
© Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire
Deb Haaland, the former US interior secretary, comfortably won New Mexico's gubernatorial race to become the first female Native American governor. Haaland is a member of Laguna Pueblo. File Image: May 11, 2025, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA: DEB HAALAND, walks the runway in a dress by legendary designer Patricia Michaels during the Second Annual Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Native Fashion Week.
© Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire
Deb Haaland, the former US interior secretary, comfortably won New Mexico's gubernatorial race to become the first female Native American governor. Haaland is a member of Laguna Pueblo. File Image: March 2,, 2025, Ruidoso, New Mexico, USA: DEB HAALAND, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and current candidate for governor of New Mexico, holds a meet and greet at the Village Lodge.
© Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire
August 18, 2026, Orlando, Florida, USA: Florida gubernatorial candidate BYRON DONALDS speaks during his primary watch party in Orlando.
© Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
Republican Byron Donalds will be Florida's first Black governor, succeeding Ron DeSantis who has reached his term limit. File Image: November 2, 2026, Lakeland, Florida, USA: Republican US Congressional Representative BYRON DONALDS serving Floridas 19th congressional district campaigns and speaks to his constituents at Beef O'Bradys in Lakeland, Florida.
© Dave Decker/ZUMA Press Wire
Republican Byron Donalds will be Florida's first Black governor, succeeding Ron DeSantis who has reached his term limit. File Image: April 25, 2026, Treasure Island, Florida, USA: Republican US Congressional Representative BYRON DONALDS serving Floridas 19th congressional district takes photos with supporters while he campaigns and speaks on insurance affordability at Caddy's Treasure Island in Florida.
© Dave Decker/ZUMA Press Wire
Chris Pappas, a New Hampshire representative, was elected to the US Senate, making him the first out gay man to serve in the chamber. File Image: September 16, 2026, Washington, District Of Columbia, USA: U.S. Rep. CHRIS PAPPAS, (D-NH) attends a press conference about tax incentives for data centers outside the Capitol in Washington.
© Gent Shkullaku/ZUMA Press Wire
Chris Pappas, a New Hampshire representative, was elected to the US Senate, making him the first out gay man to serve in the chamber. File Image: August 16, 2026, Warner, New Hampshire, USA: Rep. CHRIS PAPPAS, D-N.H., right, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and his husband VANN BENTLEY, leave a campaign event in Warner, N.H., on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
© Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via ZUMA Press
Chris Pappas, a New Hampshire representative, was elected to the US Senate, making him the first out gay man to serve in the chamber. File Image: August 16, 2026, Warner, New Hampshire, USA: Rep. CHRIS PAPPAS, D-N.H., Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, talks with voters in Warner, N.H.
© Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via ZUMA Press
Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, is the first Native American woman to be elected to the US Senate. Flanagan is Ojibwe and a member of the White Earth Nation. File Image: May 30, 2026, Rochester, Minnesota, USA: Minnesota Lt. Gov. PEGGY FLANAGAN, who is a candidate for U.S. Senate, runs toward the stage after receiving the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate during Day 2 of the Minnesota DFL Party Convention in Rochester.
© Alex Kormann/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire
Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, is the first Native American woman to be elected to the US Senate. Flanagan is Ojibwe and a member of the White Earth Nation. File Image: August 22, 2025, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: Minnesota Lieutenant Governor PEGGY FLANAGAN hosts a election support rally along with United States Senator ELIZABETH WARREN.
© Holden Smith/ZUMA Press Wire
Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, is the first Native American woman to be elected to the US Senate. Flanagan is Ojibwe and a member of the White Earth Nation. File Image: July 20, 2026, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: Minnesota Lieutenant Governor and Senate Candidate PEGGY FLANAGAN campaigns at First Avenue in Minneapolis
© Holden Smith/ZUMA Press Wire
David Crowley won Wisconsin's governor race, becoming the first Black person to hold the office. File Image: November 2, 2026, Racine, Wisconsin, USA: Democratic gubernatorial candidate DAVID CROWLEY speaks at a rally at Racine, Wisconsin, County Democratic Party Headquarters.
© Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA Press Wire
David Crowley won Wisconsin's governor race, becoming the first Black person to hold the office. File Image: November 2, 2026, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA: Democratic candidate DAVID CROWLEY joined local politicians and union leaders at a protest rally to support Amazon workers at a fulfillment facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin during election day.
© Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA Press Wire
David Crowley won Wisconsin's governor race, becoming the first Black person to hold the office. File Image: October 8, 2024, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: Milwaukee County Executive DAVID CROWLEY speaks before President Joe Biden announces new funding to deliver clean water in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
© Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA Press Wire
Aaron Ford, Democratic candidate, defeated Republican governor Joe Lombardo and will serve as the first Black governor in Nevada. File Image: October 24, 2026, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: Nevada Democratic gubernatorial candidate and current Nevada Attorney General AARON FORD speaks at a get-out-the-vote rally in North Las Vegas before the midterm elections.
© David Becker/ZUMA Press Wire
Aaron Ford, Democratic candidate, defeated Republican governor Joe Lombardo and will serve as the first Black governor in Nevada. File Image: October 21, 2026, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: Nevada Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate AARON FORD speaks at the Culinary Workers Union headquarters, in Las Vegas.
© David Becker/ZUMA Press Wire
Aaron Ford, Democratic candidate, defeated Republican governor Joe Lombardo and will serve as the first Black governor in Nevada. File Image: October 21, 2026, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: Nevada Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate AARON FORD listens as Former U.S. Vice President KAMALA HARRIS speaks at the Culinary Workers Union headquarters in Las Vegas.
© David Becker/ZUMA Press Wire
Amy Acton, a Democrat, defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become Ohio's first female governor. File Image: November 4, 2026, Columbus, Ohio, USA: AMY ACTON celebrates her victory with the crowd at the 'Ohio Wins' democratic midterm election night party at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Ohio.
© James D. DeCamp/ZUMA Press Wire
Amy Acton, a Democrat, defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become Ohio's first female governor. File Image: October 29, 2026, Toledo, Ohio, USA: AMY ACTON speaks at a rally for herself, Sherrod Brown and other Democratic Party leaders in Toledo, ahead of the midterm elections.
© Christy Frank/ZUMA Press Wire
Amy Acton, a Democrat, defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become Ohio's first female governor. File Image: October 29, 2026, Toledo, Ohio, USA: Ohio Democrat nominee for governor of Ohio in the 2026 election candidate AMY ACTON, 60, raises her fist during her party's rally. She was joined by fellow candidates and other Democratic Party leaders in Toledo, ahead of the midterm elections.
© Christy Frank/ZUMA Press Wire
Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, is the first woman to be elected as governor of Tennessee. File Image: April 15, 2026, Washington, District of Columbia, USA: Sen. MARSHA BLACKBURN, R-Tenn., attends the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing titled ''Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission in Russell building.
© Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via ZUMA Press
Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, is the first woman to be elected as governor of Tennessee. File Image: June 23, 2026, Washington, District of Columbia, USA: Sen. MARSHA BLACKBURN, R-Tenn., leaves the Republican Senate luncheon in the U.S. Capitol.
© Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via ZUMA Press
Amy Klobuchar, democrat, beat out Republican state House speaker Lisa Demuth to become the first woman to be elected as governor in Minnesota. File Image: June 23, 2026, Washington, District Of Columbia, USA: U.S. Senator AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN) speaking at press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
© Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire
Amy Klobuchar, democrat, beat out Republican state House speaker Lisa Demuth to become the first woman to be elected as governor in Minnesota. File Image: April 15, 2026, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: U.S. Sen. AMY KLOBUCHAR, speaking at a drive-in campaign event for Biden in Falcon Heights and entered the race for Minnesota governor.
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