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Meet the History Makers of the 2024 US Elections
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Meet the History Makers of the 2024 US Elections

This year’s US elections will make history in various offices, with CNN projecting major firsts at the federal, state and local levels.

With a victory for the Republican presidential ticket, Ohio Senator JD Vance will be sworn in as the first vice president of the millennium.

Additionally, both parties are expected to welcome a record number of diverse lawmakers to Congress and state executive offices.

Among the expected winners of the U.S. Senate elections are Democrats Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, who — in addition to becoming their states’ first Black senators — will also be the first two Black women to serve simultaneously in the chamber.

In the House, CNN predicts that North Dakota will make history with the election of its first woman, Republican Julie Fedorchak, to the state’s at-large district. The result will make Mississippi the only state not to have elected a woman to the House of Representatives.

Democrats are also poised to make strides on LGBTQ representation. Sarah McBride, the projected winner of Delaware’s House of Representatives seat, will be the first transgender person to serve in Congress. Julie Johnson will be the first LGBTQ person to win a federal election in Texas, the second most populous state in the country.

While the overwhelming majority of governors are elected in midterm elections, a handful of governorships were up for grabs this year. One of the expected winners — North Carolina Democrat Josh Stein — will be his state’s first Jewish governor.

There are many races for which CNN has not yet projected results. But among those for whom a projection was made, here are the candidates who made history with their victories.

Ohio

Republican Bernie Moreno will be Ohio’s first Latino senator, according to CNN, unseating Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown. Moreno, a Cleveland car dealership owner, was born in Colombia and moved to the United States with his family when he was a child.

Washington State

Democratic state Sen. Emily Randall will be the first LGBTQ person elected to Congress in Washington state, according to CNN, succeeding retiring Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer in the state’s 6th Congressional District. Randall, who is Chicana, will also be the first LGBTQ Latina elected to Congress.

New Jersey

Democrat Andy Kim will be the first Korean American elected to the U.S. Senate, according to CNN, winning the vacant seat once held by former Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. The son of Korean immigrants, Kim will also be the Garden State’s first Asian American senator.

Maryland

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks will be Maryland’s first Black senator, according to CNN, defeating former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in the race to succeed outgoing Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County executive, will also be Maryland’s second female senator after Democrat Barbara Mikulski.

The anticipated election of Alsobrooks and Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester to the Senate will mark the first time two Black women will serve simultaneously in the House.

North Dakota

Republican Julie Fedorchak will be the first woman elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, according to CNN, winning the vacant seat for the state’s at-large district. Fedorchak, an elected member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, will succeed Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong, who is running for governor.

Delaware

Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester will be Delaware’s first black senator and first woman, according to CNN, winning an open seat to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, her former boss. Blunt Rochester, who is serving her fourth term representing Delaware’s U.S. House at-large district, was also the first woman and first Black person elected to Congress in the First State.

The election of Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland to the Senate will mark the first time two Black women will serve simultaneously in the House.

Democrat Sarah McBride will be the first transgender member of Congress, according to CNN, to win the race for Delaware’s at-large congressional district. McBride, a state senator, will succeed Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who won election to the U.S. Senate. McBride will also be the first LGBTQ person elected to Congress from Delaware.

North Carolina

Democrat Josh Stein will be the first Jew elected governor of North Carolina, according to CNN, defeating scandal-plagued Republican candidate Mark Robinson. Stein, the state attorney general, will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Texas

Democrat Julie Johnson will be the first LGBTQ person elected to Congress in Texas, according to CNN, winning the open race for the state’s 32nd Congressional District. Johnson, a state representative, will succeed Democratic Rep. Colin Allred, who is running for Senate.

Arizona

Yassamin Ansari will be the first Iranian-American Democrat elected to Congress, according to CNN, succeeding Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District. The daughter of Iranian immigrants, Ansari is a former Phoenix City Council member.

Virginia

Democrat Suhas Subramanyam will be the first Indian American elected to Congress from Virginia, according to CNN, winning the open race for the commonwealth’s 10th Congressional District. Subramanyam, a state senator whose parents immigrated to the United States from India, will succeed Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who retired from three terms.