What Hope Looks Like

In a sweeping surprise, the Democratic Party won key races in Tuesday’s special elections throughout the US. These victories signal a sudden change from last November’s election, where the Republican Party saw a victory across the nation. As results from last night's elections continue to come in, many people, especially younger generations, are feeling a newfound sense of hope that change will keep coming. Here are the highlights from last night. More to be added as the day progresses and final votes are tallied. 

Mississippi

Mississippi held special elections following a lawsuit filed by the Mississippi NAACP, which alleged discriminatory redistricting practices. In April, a federal court agreed and required the state to redraw the maps and hold special elections for six seats. They would have needed to flip two GOP-held seats and maintain their current seats in order to break the Republican supermajority, and last night, they did just that. 

Theresa Gillespie Isom won the Mississippi Senate District 2 seat.

Photo courtesy of Theresa Gillespie Isom's Facebook

Johnny Dupree, who once serves as the Mayor of Hattiesburg, MS for 16 years, flipped the GOP-held Mississippi Senate seat in the Pinebelt Region for Senate District 45.

Photo by Rogelio V. Solis AP Photo

New York

One of the biggest wins comes out of New York, where Democratic-Socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election, becoming New York’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor-elect. He ran on a campaign of making NYC affordable again, defeating Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.

Photo by Angela Weiss/ AFP

In Albany, NY, Dorcey Applyrs was elected as the first Black mayor in the city’s history.

Photo courtesy of Dorcey Applyrs Facebook

New Jersey

US Representative Mikie Sherrill became New Jersey’s first Democratic woman governor, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Photo by Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor

Virginia

Abigail Spanberger becomes Virginia's first female governor. The former congresswoman and CIA officer defeated the state's Republican Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears. 

Photo by Steve Helber / AP

Democrat Jay Jones also won the attorney general race.  

Photo by Shaban Athuman for Richmond Times-Dispatch/AP

California

California residents voted “yes” to Prop 50. Legislation to temporarily redraw California’s district maps to combat the gerrymandering taking place in the state of Texas. 

Detroit

Mary Sheffield is the first woman to be elected mayor of Detroit in the city’s 324-year history. 

Photo courtesy of Mary Sheffield Instagram