Florida
First Black Woman Governor Elected in Historic Election Night
Georgia voters elected the nation’s first Black woman governor on Tuesday while neighbors to the south in Florida became the first to elect a Black Republican governor. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will be the first Democrat to occupy…
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Key points
- Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in United States history.
- Byron Donalds became the nation’s first elected Black Republican governor in Florida.
- At least four Black governors will serve simultaneously across the country for the first time.
NewsWK — Voters across the nation delivered historic outcomes during Tuesday’s gubernatorial contests. In local communities, residents following these national races watched milestone victories unfold across key states. For the first time, voters chose a Black woman and an elected Black Republican to lead state governments.
What do national 2024 gubernatorial election results mean for local voters?
Tuesday’s 2024 gubernatorial election results reshaped state leadership across 36 governor races nationwide. Democrats won 14 contested seats while Republicans earned three by 11:25 p.m. Eastern time. Therefore, these historic shifts highlight changing political trends that local voters closely monitor during midterm elections.
- Georgia elected Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.
- Florida elected Republican Representative Byron Donalds.
- Wisconsin elected Democrat David Crowley.
- New Mexico elected Democrat Deb Haaland.
Who was the first Black Republican governor Florida elected?
Florida voters chose Representative Byron Donalds as the first Black Republican governor Florida has ever elected. Donalds became the first Black candidate to win a statewide office in Florida. Also, the Byron Donalds Florida governor victory made him the nation’s first elected Black Republican governor.
However, Louisiana previously had an appointed Black Republican governor, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback, during Reconstruction in 1872.
How did Keisha Lance Bottoms Georgia governor victory make history?
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms made history as the first Black woman governor elected in the country. She became the first Democrat to win Georgia’s governorship in over 20 years. Meanwhile, four Black governors will now serve simultaneously across the United States.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore earned reelection on Tuesday to join Bottoms, Donalds, and Wisconsin Governor David Crowley.
What other historic state milestones occurred on election night?
Groundbreaking state results continued across several other gubernatorial races on Tuesday. Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland won in New Mexico as the nation’s first Native American woman governor. Haaland is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna.
In addition, Ohio elected Dr. Amy Acton as its first female governor and first Democratic governor in 20 years. Furthermore, Texas elected state Representative Gina Hinojosa as its first Latina governor after Republican Governor Greg Abbott conceded at 11:00 p.m. Eastern time.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
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