close
close

Notable innovations that could make history on Election Day

Notable innovations that could make history on Election Day

The stage is set for historic elections 2024: Vice President Kamala Harris could become the first female president and the first president of South Asian descent, while former President Donald Trump could become only the second president to win non-consecutive terms, as well as the first president to be convicted of a crime.

Another historic development if Harris wins the White House: Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff could make history as the nation’s first First Gentleman and the first Jewish presidential spouse.

But the list of outstanding “pioneers” is not limited to the presidential ticket. In fact, there are many additional historical firsts that could result from different parties in this year’s federal election. Here are some of the highlights, although this list is not exhaustive:

US Senate

Republican Nella Domenici of New Mexico, Republican Patricia Morgan of Rhode Island and Democrat Caroline Gleich of Utah could become the first women to represent their states in the U.S. Senate.

If elected, Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Democrat Valerie McCray of Indiana would become the first women and the first Black women to represent their states in the Senate. Rochester previously made history as Delaware’s first woman and first Black House representative in 2017.

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks could become Maryland’s first black senator. A victory for her opponent, former Gov. Larry Hogan, would mark the first time a Republican has won a Maryland Senate seat in nearly four decades.

Democrat Bernie Moreno could also become Ohio’s first Latino state official and first American-born senator, while Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell could become Florida’s first Latino senator.

House of Representatives

With all 435 House seats up for grabs, there are plenty of opportunities to make history among House candidates as well.

This election could pave the way for LGBTQ+ history in Congress. Sarah McBride, running for a congressional seat in Delaware, could become the first openly transgender member of Congress. McBride was also the first openly transgender person to serve in the White House, speak at the Democratic National Convention and become a Delaware state senator.

Democrat Emily Randall, who became Washington’s first female LGBTQ state senator in 2018, could become the first LGBTQ Latina to serve in Congress, and Democrat Julie Johnson of Texas could become the South’s first openly gay representative.

House races also provide an opportunity for other minorities to be represented in Congress for the first time, especially women.

Democrat Janelle Bynum of Oregon, Republican Charlotte Bergmann of Tennessee and Democrat Diane Dodson Black of Mississippi could become the first black women to represent their states in Congress.

Black will also become the first woman to represent Mississippi in Congress. In addition, Republican Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota and Democrat Kyle Cameron of Wyoming could become the first women to represent their states in the House of Representatives.

Democrat Marcy Kaptur of Ohio is currently the longest-serving woman in Congressional history and hopes to continue that legacy in her 22nd term.

There may also be historical firsts with Asian American representation. Republican Lily Tan Williams of New Hampshire and Republican May Lor Xiong of Minnesota could become the first Asian American and Pacific Islander women to represent their state in Congress.

Democrat Derek Tran could also become the first Vietnamese member of Congress from California, Democrat Amish Shah could become the first Asian American and Indian American from Arizona in Congress, and Democrat Lanon Baccam could become the first Asian American to represent Iowa in Congress.

If elected, Democrat Sarah Freeman of Tennessee and Democrat Madison Horne of Oklahoma would become the first Native American women to represent their states in Congress.

Moreover, Democrat Nellie Pou could become the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress, and Democrat Tony Vargas could become the first Latino in Congress from Nebraska.

Democrat Maryam Abolfazli of Tennessee and Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi of Minnesota could become the first MENA women in their states to be elected to Congress.

Democrat Monica Tranel, a rower at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, could become the first female Olympian to serve in Congress.

Click here for complete coverage of the 2024 presidential election.

Copyright © 2024 ABC News Internet Ventures.