A record-breaking number of female governors were voted into office last week in the U.S midterm elections, with a total of 12 women set to serve as governors in 2023.
The previous record was nine women serving as governor simultaneously, set initially in 2004 and matched in 2007 and 2009.
Seven states — Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Mexico, Michigan and South Dakota, reelected their incumbent governors, while three female candidates in Arkansas, Massachusetts and Oregon – were elected for the first time.
New York’s first female Governor, Kathy Hochul also won her race, beating her main opponent, Republican Lee Zeldin. Hochul took over after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in 2021 over a series of sexual harassment allegations against him.
In Arizona, the governor’s race is still too close to call – though the winner is guaranteed to be a woman — both candidates, Democrat Katie Hobbs and Republican Kari Lake, are female.
Republican Governor Kay Ivey will continue serving in Alabama, Kim Reynolds will continue to serve as the Republican Governor in Iowa, Laura Kelly continues her leadership in Kansas and Janet Mills will continue serving as Governor of Maine. New Mexico also reelected their incumbent governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, as did Michigan, with Gretchen Whitmer and Kristi Noem in South Dakota.
For Arkansas, New York and Massachusetts, it’s the first time a female governor has been elected.
The latest elections also mark a record number of gubernatorial races between two women.
In Alabama, Arizona, Iowa and Michigan, both major party nominees were female. In Oregon, three women were the major candidates — Democrat Tina Kotek, who won, Republican Christine Drazan and independent candidate Betsy Johnson.
Oregon is also celebrating its first ever openly lesbian women governor, Democrat Tina Kotek. During her time as former state House speaker, the 56-year old passed a series of progressive legislations such as raising the state’s minimum wage and making Oregon the first state with statewide rent control.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey also became the state’s first openly lesbian women governor, after she beat former state Rep. Geoff Diehl in an overwhelming defeat. The 51-year old Democrat campaigned on expanding affordable housing, advancing green jobs, and improving public transportation.