Nine states elect firsts for governor

Voters in nine states cast ballots on Tuesday that will place first-time winners in the governor's mansion. The results mark new milestones for representation by race, ethnicity, and gender across the country.

Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia will become the first Black woman elected as a state's top executive. The 56-year-old Democrat defeated Republican Rick Jackson to end a long Republican hold on the office. Bottoms previously served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and later advised former President Joe Biden.

In New Mexico, Deb Haaland defeated Republican Gregg Hull to become the first Native American woman governor. The Democrat, who is of Pueblo Indian descent, previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Interior secretary under the Biden administration.

Latino candidates won governorships in two of the nation's most populous states. Xavier Becerra defeated Steve Hilton in California to become the state's first elected Latino governor. Becerra, a former attorney general and HHS secretary, will succeed Gavin Newsom. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Greg Abbott to become the state's first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor in more than 30 years.

Byron Donalds will be the first Black governor of Florida. The Republican, backed by President Trump, defeated Democrat David Jolly. Donalds has served in Congress since 2021 and previously held two terms in the state legislature. His campaign focused on affordability and continuing the policies of outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis.

David Crowley of Wisconsin will be the first Black governor of that state. The Democrat, who serves as Milwaukee County executive, defeated Congressman Tom Tiffany. Crowley suspended his campaign earlier in the primary but reentered with the support of outgoing Governor Tony Evers. He campaigned on his record as a deal maker who works across the political aisle.

Marsha Blackburn defeated Jerri Green and several independent candidates to become the first woman elected governor of Tennessee. The Republican senator focused her campaign on immigration, China, and government spending. Amy Klobuchar will become the first woman governor of Minnesota, defeating Republican Lisa Demuth, the speaker of the Minnesota House. Klobuchar will assume office in January.

Amy Acton of Ohio is poised to become the first woman and first Jewish governor in the state's history. The Democrat defeated Vivek Ramaswamy in a race marked by intense advertising in the final weeks. Acton served as the state's chief public health officer during the pandemic and will be the first Democrat to hold the office in two decades.