120th Congress freshman class includes several historic firsts

Firsts in the Senate

Peggy Flanagan, D-Minn., a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, becomes the first Native American woman elected to the Senate with her victory over Republican Michele Tafoya. The outgoing Minnesota lieutenant governor is also the first Native American to represent the state in Congress. Abdul El-Sayed, D-Mich., becomes the first Muslim person elected to the Senate with his victory over Republican Mike Rogers. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., becomes the first openly gay man elected to the Senate by defeating former Sen. John E. Sununu.

Trailblazers in the House

Dan Koh, D-Mass., is the first Asian American elected to Congress from Massachusetts. Denise Powell, D-Neb., is the first Latino person elected to Congress from Nebraska after flipping the state’s 2nd District. She is also the first Democratic woman elected to Congress from Nebraska. She is also the first adherent of Jainism to be elected to Congress.

Historic firsts from Georgia to California as Democrats retake Congress

More Historic Wins

J.D. Ford, D-Ind., unseated Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz to become the first openly gay person elected to Congress from Indiana. Sean McCann, D-Mich., defeated Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga to become the first Native American elected to Congress from Michigan. McCann is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Darializa Avila Chevalier, D-N.Y., becomes the first Muslim person elected to Congress from the Empire State with her victory in New York’s 13th District. Claire Valdez, D-N.Y., is the first Native American elected to Congress from New York after winning her seat in the state’s 28th District.