Mykel Hilliard
Nov 11
7 mins read
In the end, they won an estimated 259 seats in the U.S. House, 54 seats in the U.S. Senate, and 28 governorships. They also gained 25 House seats and flipped 7 Senate seats, successfully securing control of both chambers of Congress.
The biggest kicker was gains in traditionally Republican states such as Texas, Kansas, and South Carolina, where Democratic Senate candidates won. Beyond these historic feats, the blue wave helped usher in milestones, with many candidates from marginalized communities, including candidates from typically underrepresented BIPOC and LGBTQ+ groups, taking home wins. Here is a list of LGBTQ+ candidates who made a splash during this election’s blue wave.
Kenyatta won reelection for a fifth term representing Pennsylvania’s 181st District in the State House of Representatives. In celebration of his win, Kenyatta took to Instagram, writing I don’t believe in miracles, I believe in the US. Last night the American people roared back and made their voices heard. Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime to deliver: lower costs and money in your pocket, a government free of grift, and a life worth living.
The 36-year-old North Philadelphia native first made history in 2018 when he became the first Black gay man to be elected to the state’s legislature and the second out member overall.
Earning his fourth term representing New York’s 15th Congressional District, Rep. Ritchie Torres defeated Republican candidate Stylo Sapaskis. When he was first elected back in November 2020, Torres made history when he became the first openly gay Afro-Latino man elected to the U.S. Congress. He was also one of the first two openly gay Black men elected to Congress, alongside fellow New York Democrat Mondaire Jones.
Running unopposed, nonbinary candidate DeShanna Neal (she/her) won the District 13 seat in Delaware’s state legislature. Neal, a mother of four, two of whom are transgender, made history in 2022 when she became Delaware’s first non-binary elected official, serving as a state representative for the 13th District; she was later re-elected in 2024.
In Washington State, Jaelynn Scott defeated her opponent, Evon McCorkle, winning House District 37, becoming the state’s first transgender state legislator and the first out Black transgender woman elected to a state legislature.
Chris Pappas made history this week, becoming the first out gay man to be elected to the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, besting Republican candidate Senator John Sununu.
Openly transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride was re-elected by voters in Delaware, besting Republican challenger Joseph Arminio. McBride’s win secures her a second consecutive term representing Delaware in Congress. After first being elected in 2024, making history as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.
Hudgins made history as the state of Georgia’s first out transgender and non-binary state lawmaker, beating out Republican competitor Samantha Boston in House District 90.
Ford defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, unseating her to win Indiana’s 5th Congressional District seat. Ford is now considered to be the first openly gay member of Congress from Indiana. His win is especially historic as the state hasn’t elected a Democratic candidate in the seat since 1990.
Unseating a Republican incumbent in a longstanding red state? That is nothing short of history. Openly transgender Democratic candidate Allison Montgomery did just that earlier this week, unseating her Republican rival, Alabama State Rep. Phillip, in this year’s midterms. With her unprecedented win in the state’s House District 25 she became one of three Northern Alabama Democrats to flip seats in the 2026 midterm.
Openly lesbian Democratic candidate Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas won reelection to Congress, defeating Republican competitor Eric Jenkins, helping her secure her fifth term in Congress.
Openly transgender Stand-up comedian, entrepreneur, and politician Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford won her election to Wisconsin’s 76th State Assembly District. Her historic win makes first openly transgender person elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.
In wake of her win Martinez-Rutherford told The Cap Times ““I hope that it gives kids or families of trans people hope that they can live to be adults and that their children are going to be safe because they have somebody representing them.”
Becca Balint, who in 2023 became the first woman and openly LGBTQ+ person to represent the state of Vermont in Congress, won her bid for reelection, defeating Republican opponent Gerald Malloy, earning her third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
With the 2026 midterm results, Chief Justice-elect Maggie Ellis added yet another historic milestone to her already impressive list of firsts. Her historic accomplishments include becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to statewide office in Texas, the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Texas Supreme Court, and, in 2024, the first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to a Texas appellate court.
After defeating her opponent, Jimmy Blacklock, in the race for chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, she is poised to become the first woman to hold the position.
After spending 15 years in conversion therapy Whaley conjured up a historic win in this year’s election, defeating Republican Ron Kokinda for the District state representative seat in Wayne County. Her victory marked a historic milestone, making her the first transgender person elected to Michigan’s legislature.
Republican Brian Burley was no match for House Democrat Robert Garcia, who won his reelection to California’s 42nd Congressional district. Following his win, Garcia took to his X account with a simple but strong message, posting “LAWYER UP.” Garcia is openly gay and made history as the first LGBTQ+ naturalized immigrant and first Peruvian-American elected to the U.S. Congress. Before winning election to California’s 42nd congressional district in 2022, Garcia served as the mayor of Long Beach, California, where he was the city’s first openly LGBTQ+ and Latino mayor.
Jeremy Moss defeated his Republican opponent, Ethan Baker, in the race to represent Michigan’s 11th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2018, Moss became the first openly gay person elected to the Michigan State Senate. In January 2023, he made history again as the first openly gay President Pro Tempore of the Michigan Senate.
Rep. Emily Randall secured another term representing Washington State’s 6th Congressional District, defeating Republican challenger Teresa Fox in the election. In 2024, Randall made history when she became the first openly LGBTQ+ Latina elected to the U.S. Congress.
Kotek, who made history as Oregon’s first lesbian governor, defeated her Republican opponent Christine Drazan in a rematch of the 2022 Oregon gubernatorial election.
After serving in politics for nearly three decades, openly gay Rep. Mark Pocan will remain in service in Wisconsin, where he ran unopposed for an eighth term as the Democratic U.S. Representative for the state’s 2nd congressional district.
In Arizona, openly LGBTQ+ marine veteran and Democratic candidate JoAnna Mendoza defeated Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani in the state’s 6th Congressional District, securing a pivotal House seat.
Running unopposed, Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr has secured another term in the state House representing Missoula for Montana’s 95th House District. In January 2023, she became the first openly transgender woman to serve in the Montana State Legislature.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey was re-elected for a second term, defeating Republican Mike Minogue. In 2022, Healey became the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts and the first openly lesbian governor in U.S. history. She previously served as Massachusetts Attorney General from 2015 to 2023.
Houston, Texas-based Democratic lawmaker Ann Johnson won her reelection in the city’s 134th House District, defeating Republican Mike Michna and securing her fourth term.
Finke has secured a third term in the Minnesota House District 66a defeating Republican Mark Born. She previously made history in 2022 when she became the first openly transgender woman elected to the Minnesota Legislature
Rep. Eric Sorensen, who became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from Illinois back in 2022, won his third term representing the state’s 17th Congressional District.
Openly lesbian Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall won her second term representing the Rehoboth Beach area within the state. Democrat Snyder-Hall defeated Republican Mike Simpler in a rematch of their 2024 race.
California congressman Mark Takano secured his eighth term in California’s 39th Congressional District, defeating Republican Steve Manos. In 2012, Takano made history when he became the first openly gay person of color elected to the U.S. Congress.
Openly bisexual candidate Marni von Wilpert flipped her California House seat, defeating Republican Jim Desmond in California’s 48th Congressional District.
Lesbian candidate Cait Conley unseated Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler in ending his pursuit of a third term in New York’s 17th Congressional District. Conley, a former Army officer who served under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” is no stranger to public office, previously serving as Director for Counterterrorism on President Joe Biden’s National Security Council from 2021 to 2023.
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