Many pundits and commentators have been focussing on how the results of the US midterm elections will pose a threat to Donald Trump’s grip on politics.
But the votes have also paved the way for a set of historical firsts including propelling two Muslim women to Congress for the first time as well as the youngest woman ever.
First Muslim women elected to Congress
Who: Rashida Tlaib
Party: Democrats
Win: House of Representatives
Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat, became the first Muslim woman to be elected to Congress as she was voted the representative of Michigan’s 13th District. Ms Tlaib is also the first Palestinian-American to sit in Congress.
The 42-year-old has called for immigration reform and to overturn Donald Trump’s executive order banning most people from five Muslim-majority nations from entering the country.
Who: Ilhan Omar
Party: Democrats
Win: House of Representatives
Fellow Democrat Ilhan Omar became the second Muslim woman to be elected to the chamber after she won Minnesota’s 5th District. Ms Omar, who came to the US 20 years ago as a refugee, is also the first Somali-American elected to the House.
And Ms Omar, who campaigned on universal healthcare, free college tuition and robust public housing, will be the first Congress member to wear a hijab.
First Native American women elected to Congress
Who: Sharice Davids
Party: Democrats
Win: House of Representatives
Sharice Davids, who is a member of the Wisconsin-based Ho-Chunk Nation Native American tribe, unseated a GOP incumbent in suburban Kansas. This makes her the first Native American woman elected to the House and the first openly LGBT member of Congress from Kansas.
Ms Davids, who previously worked as a lawyer and was a mixed martial arts fighter, is in favour of expanding Medicaid and treating gun violence as a public health issue.
Who: Debra Haaland
Party: Democrats
Win: House of Representatives
Debra Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe, took over as the Democratic representative in New Mexico, making her the second Native American woman elected to Congress.
The climate change activist is in favour of protecting immigrants. Her website states: “I will fight tirelessly against Trump’s racist and astronomically expensive wall.”
There has only been one previous Native American in Congress: Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who represented Colorado for three terms in the US Senate.
Youngest woman elected to congress
Who: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Party: Democrats
Win: House of Representatives
At the age of 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become the youngest woman to be elected to congress after winning in New York (the previous record was held by a 30-year-old woman in 2014). Ms Ocasio-Cortez ran on the campaign slogan: “Women like me aren’t supposed to run for office.”
She surprised the New York political circle, and herself, when she defeated 10-term representative Joe Crowley in the state’s Democratic congressional primary last year.
First openly gay male governor
Who: Jared Polis
Party: Democrats
Win: Gubernatorial race
Former Democratic Representative Jared Polis has become the first openly gay man to become a Governor after winning the Colorado gubernatorial race.
He campaigned on universal health, renewable energy standards and publicly funded early childhood education. He also pledged to stand up to the President’s efforts to dismantle the federal health care law.
Oregon Democrat Kate Brown identifies as bisexual and is the first openly LGBT person to be elected governor.
State firsts
Ayanna Pressley – She is the first black congresswoman in Massachusetts after being elected into the House of Representatives. After winning, the Democrat told the crowd: “Can a congresswoman wear her hair in braids? Rock a black leather jacket?”
Jahana Hayes – Jahana Hayes, a teacher, Democrat and first-time candidate, is the first black congresswoman from Connecticut.
Marsha Blackburn – the Republican is the first female senator in Tennessee.
Abby Finkenauer – Democrat Abby Finkenauer unseated a Republican to become the first congresswoman from Iowa. She is also 29, making her the second youngest woman to be elected to Congress after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is 10 months her junior.
Janet Mills – Democrat Janet Mills has become the first female governor in Maine, replacing her Republican opponent.
Veronica Escobar – The former county judge and Democrat is the first Latina congresswoman from Texas. She won in the El Paso district.
Sylvia Garcia – Sylvia Garcia became the second Latina congresswoman from Texas after winning in Houston.
Lauren Underwood – The 32-year-old Democrat, an African-American nurse from Chicago, is the first woman and first minority candidate to represent a traditionally Republican-leaning Illinois congressional district. She worked in Barack Obama’s administration.