Historic firsts accompany US midterms as democrats gain control of house and senate from republicans

Democrats take both chambers

Democratic candidates secured control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The result was described as a rebuke to Trump and his Republican Party. The party also won gubernatorial contests in Ohio and Georgia. Several elections across the country produced historic milestones.

Historic wins across states

Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Senate race and is set to become the first Muslim senator in US history when sworn in next January. Peggy Flanagan, an Ojibwe lawmaker, was elected to represent Minnesota in the Senate and will be the first Indigenous woman to serve there.

Amy Acton is set to become Ohio’s first female governor after defeating Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy. Keisha Lance Bottoms became Georgia’s first Black governor and the first Black woman to lead any state, defeating Rick Jackson.

Foreign officials react

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Qalibaf said US voters had spoken against the war in the Middle East. He wrote, “Americans said NO TO WAR,” and added a vague warning about the consequences if the US government ignored public will.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the elections an “internal matter” and said Beijing remained willing to work with Washington. She cited communication and management of differences as areas for cooperation.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow’s position on Ukraine would not change because of the election. He said Russia’s policy was not based on short-term considerations or political shifts in other countries.

House leadership still uncertain

Hakeem Jeffries was described as the frontrunner for minority leader. If he becomes speaker of the House in January, he would be the first Black man to hold the position. The reporting also says Democrats gained control of the House, while describing Jeffries as minority leader; it does not explain how those leadership roles would be determined.