The US midterm vote ushered in a wave of historic leadership firsts across the country, electoral milestones on a night that saw voters issue a sharp rejection of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The Democrats took control of Congress after sweeping gains in the US’ midterm elections overnight into Wednesday, including in parts of the country traditionally most loyal to the Republican Party.
Democrats have already taken the Senate and are also projected to win a majority in the House of Representatives, which would give them a significant check on US President Donald Trump.
The first Black female governor, the first openly gay male senator and the first female Native American governor all won groundbreaking elections in the vote that racked up resounding wins for Democrats.
Bill Shiebler, chief strategy officer at the non-profit State Voices, a network of advocates for civic engagement and equity, told the AFP news agency the night was “a huge rebuke against hate and division.”
“We’re witnessing an electorate that increasingly sees itself in its leaders and the leaders who come out of communities they now represent,” Shiebler said.
Democrat James Talarico said “we defeated Goliath” after winning a US Senate seat over Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a close ally of President Donald Trump who was heavily backed by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
“In this race, we went up against our own Goliaths. The richest man in the world, the most powerful man in the world, and the entire Washington, DC establishment,” Talarico told a victory rally in the Texas capital, Austin.
