Night of US history sees election firsts across creed, colour and sexuality

Published: 18:41 EDT, 4 November 2026 | Updated: 21:22 EDT, 4 November 2026 The US has elected its first openly gay male and Muslim senators.Chris Pappas and Dr Abdul El-Sayed made history by securing a seat in the Senate, while America's first black female governor was elected in Georgia.Democrat Dr El-Sayed beat Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan despite an Islamophobic hate campaign that included claims he was linked to terrorists.Vice President JD Vance had described him as 'very, very evil', while Donald Trump repeatedly referred to the Democrat as a 'jihadist'.Other Republicans also alleged he had ties to the controversial Islamist group the Muslim Brotherhood, which Dr El-Sayed, 42, has denied. Their attacks also focused on the fact that his mother was an Egyptian immigrant.His parents split up when he was three and he was raised by his father and stepmother in Missouri, Florida and Michigan.After the separation, his mother lived in Egypt and later in Missouri, where she worked for a charity designated by the US as a supporter of terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda. The charity, Islamic American Relief Agency, funded social services for children in Africa and Asia, according to records. It was shut down in 2004. Dr Abdul El-Sayed, pictured with his wife Sarah Jukaku, became the first openly Muslim male senator, winning in Michigan despite facing Islamophobic attacks and false allegations linking him to terrorism and the Muslim Brotherhood Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, became the first black female governor in the US after winning in Georgia Attendees react to reports of Michigan Governor candidate Jocelyn Benson being projected as the winner during Michigan Democrats' election night watch party in Detroit, MichiganDr El-Sayed's mother was a low-ranking worker and never accused of any wrongdoing. The new senator taunted Mr Vance during his victory speech on Tuesday night, saying: 'JD, habibi [an affectionate Arabic term], there is this delicious irony in the fact that you're constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January.' Meanwhile, Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the Senate after defeating Republican John Sununu in New Hampshire.Mr Pappas, 46, is married to Vann Bentley, a lawyer and tech policy expert.A descendant of Greek immigrants, Mr Pappas also made history in 2018 when he became New Hampshire's first openly gay member of Congress.During his campaign he drew criticism within the Democratic Party for supporting a bill restricting healthcare for transgender children in 2024.Elsewhere, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, became the first black female governor in the US after winning in Georgia.Ms Bottoms, 56, is the daughter of R&B singer Major Lance. Before entering politics, she worked as a lawyer and served as a magistrate judge.READ MORE: Blame game explodes in Texas after total GOP midterms wipeout: Now Ken Paxton turns on Trump... as insider says: 'Any cowboy can figure out what really happened' READ MORE: MAGA turns on Trump: JD Vance and even Don Jr blame President's Iran War debacle for poll wipeout that's left him a lame duck READ MORE: Iran vows to use 'new weapons' if US steps up bomb blitz READ MORE: 'Woke' Christian who took Texas: Fury of religious Right after state picks ex-teacher who believes in a 'non-binary God'READ MORE: Lawyer up! That's the warning to Trump as Democrats prepare to take on what they call 'the most corrupt family ever to occupy the White House'