People
Profiles of Democrats and progressives to watch: officeholders, nominees and rising stars. Every fact links to its source.
James TalaricoU.S. Senator-elect from Texas; Texas state representativeTexas55.1 – 43.0Won
Abdul El-SayedU.S. Senator-elect from MichiganMichigan52.5 – 45.5Won
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezU.S. Representative, New York's 14th DistrictNew YorkWonWon
Zohran MamdaniMayor of New York CityNew YorkNot on the 2026 ballot
Nithya RamanLos Angeles City Councilmember, District 4; 2026 candidate for mayorCalifornia51.7 – 48.3Too close to call
Annie AndrewsU.S. Senator-elect from South CarolinaSouth Carolina51.1 – 46.7Won
Adam HamiltonU.S. Senator-elect from Kansas; senior pastor, United Methodist Church of the ResurrectionKansas51.0 – 46.0Won- Josh TurekU.S. Senator-elect from Iowa; Iowa state representativeIowa50.5 – 46.4Won
Troy JacksonU.S. Senator-elect from Maine; former Maine Senate presidentMaine53.4 – 46.5Won
Peggy FlanaganU.S. Senator-elect from Minnesota; Lieutenant Governor of MinnesotaMinnesota53.7 – 43.6Won
Chris PappasU.S. Senator-elect from New Hampshire; U.S. Representative, NH-1New Hampshire56.0 – 42.2Won
Juliana StrattonU.S. Senator-elect from Illinois; Lieutenant Governor of IllinoisIllinois60.8 – 37.6Won
Sherrod BrownU.S. Senator-elect from Ohio (special election); former U.S. SenatorOhio50.0 – 45.2Won
Roy CooperU.S. Senator-elect from North Carolina; former Governor of North CarolinaNorth Carolina58.7 – 39.1Won
Keisha Lance BottomsGovernor-elect of Georgia; former Mayor of AtlantaGeorgia54.3 – 45.7Won
Gina HinojosaGovernor-elect of Texas; Texas state representativeTexas52.8 – 45.7Won
Rob SandGovernor-elect of Iowa; Iowa State AuditorIowa55.5 – 44.5Won
Mary PeltolaFormer U.S. Representative for Alaska; 2026 U.S. Senate candidateAlaska48.2 – 47.9Too close to call
Coverage
People · Explainer
Michigan Elects Abdul El-Sayed, Will Be First Muslim US SenatorThe Detroit health official and epidemiologist beat Republican Mike Rogers 52.5% to 45.5% to win Michigan's open Senate seat.
People · News
AOC Wins Fifth Term, Now Weighs Presidential or Senate RunRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won reelection in New York's 14th District with 78.7% of the vote, outraising her Republican opponent by millions, as she weighs a run for president or Senate.
People · News
El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race, Becomes First Muslim US SenatorDemocrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers 52.5% to 45.5% in Michigan's open Senate race, a 334,868-vote margin with 97% of the expected vote counted.
People · News
Gina Hinojosa Beats Greg Abbott to Become Texas' First Latina GovernorThe Brownsville-born labor lawyer unseated a three-term incumbent who outspent her more than four-to-one, according to The Texas Tribune.
People · Explainer
James Talarico Beats Paxton, Ending Texas Democrats' Senate Drought Since 1988The former sixth-grade teacher and seminary student defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas' U.S. Senate race, after beating Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the primary.
People · News
Keisha Lance Bottoms Becomes First Black Woman Elected Governor in U.S. HistoryThe Democrat defeated Republican Rick Jackson, who spent more than $100 million of his own money, to flip Georgia's governorship for the first time in 24 years.
People · Explainer
Four New Faces Win Statehouses and a Senate Seat for DemocratsAnnie Andrews, Amy Acton, Rob Sand and Peggy Flanagan won in very different places. Here's who they are.
People · News
Raman Pulls Ahead of Bass in Uncalled LA Mayor's RaceNithya Raman led Karen Bass by about 24,000 votes as counting continued into Wednesday. Neither outlet covering the race has called it.
People · News
Talarico topples Paxton, ends Texas Democrats' 38-year Senate droughtThe 37-year-old former teacher won by about 12 points in the most expensive Senate race on record.
People · Explainer
Rapper, housing counselor, mayor: 8 things to know about Zohran MamdaniZohran Mamdani, 35, has led New York City since January. Here is what his record shows.