We voted, we watched, and we waited. The results for the 2018 midterm elections have officially rolled in, and if you’re feeling a bit bummed this morning, we’re right there with you. Ted Cruz defeated Beto O’Rourke in the Texas Senate race, causing a huge reaction and debate all over the internet. Down in Florida, Andrew Gillum has officially conceded to Ron DeSantis in the state’s governor race, but it was so so close. While the opposing results for both could’ve have been history-making moves, there’s still plenty to celebrate as a result of the polls. It was a groundbreaking election for women, women of color, and the LGBTQ+ community, so extra claps for those voted yesterday.
Where Women Won
Americans elected more than 100 women to the House of representatives.
More than 40 women of color were elected to office.
The U.S. Territory of Guam elected its first-ever female governor, Democrat Lou Leon Guerrero.
Stacey Abrams’ race in Georgia became very high-profile with the possibility of her becoming the nation’s first back female governor. As of this morning she is still refusing to concede to Brian Kemp.
Ayanna Pressley becomes the first Black woman ever elected to the Boston City Council.
New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman to be elected to Congress at 29-years-old.
Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar became the first Muslim women elected to Congress.
Democrat and former Navy helicopter pilot, Mikie Sherril, won in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.
In Florida, Latina immigrant Debbie Mucarsel-Powell defeated Carlos Curbelo, scoring a House seat for Democrats.
Abigail Spanberger, Democrat and former CIA operative, defeated Republican Rep. Dave Brat in Virginia.
Arizona elected its first female senator, Republican Martha McSally.
Democrat Lauren Underwood defeated Republican Randy Hultgren in Illinois, and is the first black person and woman to be elected in Illinois’ 14th District.
Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia became the first Latinas to represent Texas in Congress.
Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland are the first Native American women to be elected to Congress.
Women Democrats flipped both Kansas and Michigan, which had both been Republican states.
Michigan Democrats selected a woman for U.S. senator, attorney general and secretary of State, and former state senator Gretchen Whitmer as governor.
Young Kim will be the first-ever Korean-American woman in Congress.
Minnesota’s Angie Craig became the first lesbian mother elected to Congress, unseating an anti-LGBT lawmaker.
Democrat Jennifer Wexton defeated Republican Barbara Comstock who has campaigned for President Donald Trump, in Virginia’s 10th district.
Pennsylvania will now have four women representing the state in Congress, with Mary Gay Scanlon, Madelaine Dean, Chrissy Houlahan, and Susan Wild.
More Big Wins
Colorado elected its first openly gay governor with Democrat Jared Polis winning the race.
Voters in Utah and Missouri approved marijuana for medical use.
Michigan legalized cannabis for recreational purposes for residents over the age of 21.
Florida passed a measure that restores voting rights to 1.4 million former convicts.
Massachusetts supported prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in public places. Including, but not limited to hotels, restaurants, and stores.
Washington state passed a gun-safety measure that increased the age limit to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21 and imposes a 10-day waiting period for purchases.
San Francisco voters approved a tax on businesses that earn more than $50 million annually, which will go towards housing for the large homeless population in the city.
Oregon voters rejected a measure that aimed to prevent public funding of abortions.
Nebraska, Idaho, and Utah voters approved Medicaid expansion that will help cover over 300,000 low-income residents.
Arkansas voters supported increasing the minimum wage to $11 per hour by the year 2021.
Missouri voted to increase the minimum wage to $12 per hour by the year 2023.
California voted to end farm animal confinement.
With 300 women on the ballot yesterday, we made history, and we’re not stopping now. For a full list of the 117 women who won their midterms, the Washington Post has created a full breakdown here.
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