Black candidates make history in 2026 midterm elections with six governorships

Black candidates from both parties made history in the 2026 midterm elections, with six projected to win governorships and several other milestones set in Congress and statewide offices. Projected winners include Democrats Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, David Crowley in Wisconsin, and Aaron Ford in Nevada, alongside Republican Byron Donalds in Florida. Bottoms would become the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history, while Donalds would be the first Black Republican elected governor. Ford would be the first Black person elected governor west of the Mississippi River. Before Tuesday, only three Black Americans had ever been elected governor. Additional firsts include Adrienne Adams as New York's first Black woman lieutenant governor and three Black women set to serve simultaneously in the U.S. Senate. However, some Black candidates lost, including Republican John James in Michigan's governor race.