The race for control of Congress, as well as governorships and key statewide seats, has determined the 2022 midterms.
In Washington, Republicans had their eyes on breaking the Democratic trifecta by winning one or both houses of Congress. In battleground states, Democrats are trying to defend vulnerable governors and win key contests that could prove decisive in future election contests.
Heading into Election Day, both parties were also trying to diversify the ranks of their elected officials, both in Congress and beyond. Republicans were excited about increasing the roster of female governors and electing more Latino members to the US House. Democrats sought to expand the number of black U.S. senators and make a breakthrough for LGBTQ representation in the governor’s office. Both parties also sought to welcome the first members of Congress from Generation Z – those born after 1996.
Election results are still coming in and many races won’t be held for days, if not weeks. But for now, check out the candidates CNN plans to make history in the 2022 midterms.
This list will be updated as more winners are expected.
AL-SEN: Republican Katie Britt will be the first elected female senator from Alabama, CNN projects, winning an open seat race to succeed her one-time boss, retiring Sen. Richard Shelby. Britt is the former CEO of the Alabama Business Council and was the heavy favorite in the deep red state’s general election. Two women have previously represented Alabama in the Senate, but both were appointed to fill vacancies.
AR-GOV: Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be the first woman elected governor of Arkansas, according to CNN plans, winning the office previously held by her father for more than a decade. Sanders, who gained a national profile in her role as Trump White House press secretary, is also the first daughter in US history to serve as governor of the same state her father once led.
FL-10: Democrat Maxwell Frost will be the first Generation Z member elected to Congress, CNN projects, winning the open seat for Florida’s 10th Congressional District. Generation Z refers to those born after 1996. Frost will succeed Democrat Val Demings, who vacated the seat to run for Senate.
MD-GOV: Democrat Wes Moore will be Maryland’s first black governor, CNN projects, and will become only the third black man elected governor in US history. Moore, an Army veteran and former nonprofit executive, will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.
MD-AG: Anthony Brown to be first black elected Maryland attorney general, CNN reports. Brown, who currently represents Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, has long been involved in state politics, having also served as the state’s lieutenant governor and in the state House, and ran for governor in 2014.
MA-GOV: Democrat Maura Healey will be the first lesbian governor in US history, CNN projects, by winning an open Massachusetts gubernatorial race. Healey, the current attorney general of Massachusetts, will also be the Commonwealth’s first elected female governor.
OK-SEN: Republican Markwayne Mullin will be the first Native American senator from Oklahoma in nearly 100 years, CNN reports, by winning a special election to succeed GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe, who is stepping down in January. Mullin, a member of the Cherokee Nation, currently represents the state’s 2nd Congressional District. Democrat Robert Owen, also a member of the Cherokee Nation, represented Oklahoma in the Senate from 1907 to 1925.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
