The 2018 midterm elections unleashed a wave of energy which helped women gain more seats in congress and in governorships.

In January, the Democrats will take the House of Representatives, while the Republicans will keep the Senate with an even larger majority. The Democrats gained a total of 26 seats in the House, and will have a 231/204 majority over the Republicans. With their new majority, Nancy Pelosi will most likely become Speaker of the House and Democrats will have gain leadership of the House committees.

A surge of women elected to congress

The 2018 election was a historic election for women. At least 90 women will be headed to congress when they take office in January. Rashida Tlaib (Democrat) and Ilhan Omar (Democrat) will become the first Muslim congresswomen in congress, and Sharice Davids (Democrat) and Deb Haaland (Democrat) will become the first Native American women congresswomen in congress. Congresswoman (Republican) Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is the first woman to represent the state as their senator. Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Pressley (Democrat) is the first woman to be elected as a representative from the state of Massachusetts. Pressley is currently a member of Boston’s city council.

The youngest women elected to congress

Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat) is the youngest women ever to be elected to congress at the age of 29. She defeated incumbent Democrat Joe Crowley, who is a 10-term representative in the June primary. Ocasio-Cortez is from the Bronx and will represent New York’s 14th Congressional district.

Women elected to governor’s mansions

Governor-elect Lou Leon Guerrero (Democrat) is the first woman to be elected as Governor of the Territory of Guam. Governor-elect Kristi Noem will be the first woman to be Governor of South Dakota. Noem is currently a representative in congress.

Virginia’s 10th Congressional district

In Virginia’s 10th Congressional district, congresswoman-elect Jennifer Wexton (Democrat) won over incumbent congresswoman Barbara Comstock (Republican). Wexton won 56.2% (206,425) of the vote, while Barbara Comstock got 43.8% (160,790) of the vote.

Other Virginia elections

In Virginia’s 7th Congressional district, congresswoman-elect Abigail Spanberger (Democrat) won over incumbent congressman Dave Brat (Republican). Spanberger got 50.3% while Brat got 48.5%. Brat is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and was part of the Tea Party. Congresswoman-elect Elaine Luria (Democrat) carried Virginia’s second Congressional district with 51.1% over incumbent congressman Scott Taylor (Republican) with 48.9%.

Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat) won over Corey Stewart (Republican). Kaine got 67.1% while Stewart got 30.8%.