US elects first Black, Latina and Native American women governors: Their stories

The US Midterm Elections 2026 have produced several historic firsts, including three women breaking barriers in US politics. Keisha Lance Bottoms, Gina Hinojosa and Deb Haaland have become the first Black, Latina and Native American women governors, respectively. Here is a look at their education, careers and political journeys.Keisha Lance Bottoms (m) became the first Black woman elected governor in the US, Gina Hinojosa (l) became Texas's first Latina governor, and Deb Haaland (r) became the first Native American woman governor. (Photos: AP)New Delhi,Nov 4, 2026 15:19 ISTThe United States has elected its first Black woman, first Latina and first Native American women governors in the same election cycle. From an Atlanta mayor who took on the establishment to a civil rights lawyer who defeated a powerful Texas incumbent and a former US Interior Secretary from the Laguna Pueblo community, three women are set to change the history of American politics.The US midterm elections 2026, held on November 3, halfway through President Donald Trump's four-year term, have produced a landmark moment for political representation in the US. Keisha Lance Bottoms won in Georgia, Gina Hinojosa in Texas and Deb Haaland in New Mexico.Americans voted to elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 35 senators and several state governors, along with other local representatives. The US midterm elections elections determine the balance of power in Congress and can shape the final two years of a president's term.Their victories are particularly striking because these are not symbolic appointments. All three women have spent years working in law, public administration, state politics or national government before reaching the governor's office. KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS: FIRST BLACK WOMAN GOVERNOR IN US HISTORY (Photo: AP) Georgia's Keisha Lance Bottoms has made history as the first Black woman elected governor of any US state. She is also the state's first woman governor.A lawyer by training, Bottoms studied communications at Florida A&M University before earning her law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. Her career began in the legal system. She worked as a prosecutor, represented children in juvenile court and later became an Atlanta magistrate judge.She entered electoral politics in 2010, winning a seat on the Atlanta City Council. She served there until 2018, when she took over as the city's 60th mayor after winning the 2017 election.Her four-year mayoral tenure coincided with two major challenges: the Covid-19 pandemic and the protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd. She drew national attention for her response to the protests and her public disagreement with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp over pandemic restrictions.Bottoms did not seek re-election in 2021. In 2022, she joined President Joe Biden's administration as a senior adviser and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.Her return to electoral politics has now taken her to Georgia's highest office. She defeated Republican Rick Jackson, becoming the first Democrat elected governor of Georgia in more than two decades.GINA HINOJOSA: TEXAS GETS ITS FIRST LATINA GOVERNOR (Photo: AFP) Gina Hinojosa's victory carries a double political significance. She is Texas's first Latina governor and the first Democrat to win the state's governorship since 1990.Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Hinojosa graduated from the University of Texas before earning a law degree from George Washington University.She began her professional career as a civil rights and labour lawyer, representing workers and communities. Her experience in education governance also shaped her political career. She served on the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees, including as its president.Hinojosa entered the Texas House of Representatives in 2017, representing a district in Austin. During her time in the state legislature, she worked on issues involving public education, healthcare, workers' rights and government accountability.Her 2026 campaign challenged Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who was seeking another term. Hinojosa defeated him in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades.Among her campaign priorities were public school funding, affordability and greater regulation of data centre development.Her victory makes Texas, one of America's largest and most politically influential states, part of a historic shift in women's representation.DEB HAALAND: FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN WOMAN GOVERNOR (Photo: AP) New Mexico's Deb Haaland has become the first Native American woman elected governor of a US state.A member of the Laguna Pueblo community, Haaland's political journey has included some important national milestones.She earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of New Mexico before completing a law degree at the University of New Mexico School of Law.Before entering politics, she worked in business and community organising. She also served as chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party.In 2018, Haaland won election to the US House of Representatives, becoming one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, alongside Sharice Davids of Kansas.Her biggest national assignment came in 2021, when President Joe Biden appointed her secretary of the interior. She became the first Native American to lead the department, which oversees federal lands, natural resources and relations with Native American tribes.Haaland served until 2025. Her election as New Mexico governor now brings her political journey back to the state where she began her electoral career.She defeated Republican Gregg Hull in the gubernatorial race.- Ends