As voters head to the polls Tuesday night, the 2026 midterm elections are poised to reshape state leadership in historic ways. ABC News projections indicate that four states could elect groundbreaking governors, each representing a first for their community and reflecting the growing diversity of American public life.
Georgia: Keisha Lance Bottoms Makes History
Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta, is projected to become the first Black woman governor of Georgia. Bottoms’ campaign emphasized that “the people still have the power,” countering billionaire Republican Rick Jackson’s $200 million personal spending. The race flips the governor’s mansion blue in a state President Trump carried in 2024, and would end a Democratic drought in the governor’s office dating back to 1998.
New Mexico: Deb Haaland Set to Become First Indigenous Governor
Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo, is projected to win the New Mexico gubernatorial race, making her the first Indigenous governor in U.S. history. Haaland thanked New Mexicans on X, promising a future where working families thrive and every resident has a voice. Her opponent, former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, could not match her historic appeal.
Texas: Gina Hinojosa Breaks New Ground
Democratic U.S. Representative Gina Hinojosa is projected to defeat incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott, becoming Texas’s first Hispanic governor. Hinojosa ran on education reform and criticized Abbott’s support for AI data centers, framing the race as a chance to “take back Texas for the people.” Her victory would mark a major shift in a state long dominated by Republicans.
Florida: Byron Donalds Becomes First Black Governor
Republican Representative Byron Donalds is projected to win the Florida governorship, becoming the state’s first Black governor. Donalds pledged to make life more affordable, keep streets safe, and invest in youth. Although his campaign recently removed references to President Trump from its website, Donalds quickly reaffirmed his endorsement of President Trump, underscoring the administration’s continued influence in Florida politics.
Other Notable Races
In Ohio, former health director Amy Acton is projected to defeat GOP challenger Vivek Ramaswamy, becoming the first woman and first Jewish governor of the state. In New Hampshire, Representative Chris Pappas is projected to become the first openly gay U.S. senator, beating Republican John Sununu, who was backed by President Trump.
These projected outcomes illustrate a broader trend toward greater representation at the highest levels of state government. While the final results will be confirmed after the polls close, the projections already signal a transformative moment for American politics.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
