In November, voters could elect the nation’s first Black woman governor, first Indian American governor of Ohio, first Black governor of Florida or first Black senator from Florida. As the midterms get closer, URL Media is tracking a few races where candidates of color are testing how far the nation has come and what’s politically possible in America.
Here’s what we’re watching.
ARIZONA FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Former New York Jets player Jay Feely, a white Republican, is running against Indian-American Democrat — and former Jets team doctor — Amish Shah in Arizona’s First Congressional District. This is Shah’s second try (he lost a race for the seat in 2024).
FLORIDA GOVERNOR RACE
Florida could elect its first Black governor if Republican candidate Byron Donalds prevails in November. He is running against white Democratic candidate David Jolly. Donalds courted controversy in 2024 after making a statement that he thought Black people and families were “better off” during Jim Crow than now. Polling shows Donalds leading Jolly by just one point, well within the margin of error.
FLORIDA SENATE RACE
State Rep. Angie Nixon is running to become Florida’s first Black U.S. senator. Polling shows the Democratic Socialist essentially tied with her white Republican competitor, Ashley Moody.
GEORGIA GOVERNOR RACE
If former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms wins the gubernatorial race against health care executive and “Trump with a Southern accent” white Republican candidate Rick Jackson, she’ll be the nation’s first elected Black woman governor. She faces an uphill battle; Georgians already declined to elect a Black woman Democrat, Stacey Abrams, in two prior races.
MICHIGAN SENATE RACE
The Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is running for the U.S. Senate against former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. El-Sayed faces considerable pushback online, much of it due to his Muslim faith, but real life may not be quite so polarized. Polling shows El-Sayed narrowly ahead of Rogers.
MICHIGAN GOVERNOR RACE
U.S. Rep. John James, a Black Republican, is running against white Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson in Michigan. The winner will succeed current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Recent polling shows Benson comfortably ahead of James.
NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR RACE
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, is running for governor of New Mexico against white Republican Gregg Hull. Haaland has emphasized environmental concerns and called for a moratorium on new data centers. Reports show she is outperforming Hull in fundraising.
OHIO GOVERNOR RACE
Indian American candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican, is running against white Democratic candidate Amy Acton to become governor of Ohio. If elected, Ramaswamy, who has never held elected political office, would become the state’s first Indian American governor. Acton leads Ramaswamy in polling by three points, which is within the margin of error.
