While the November 2024 presidential election did not yield the historic result of firsts with the first woman and first woman of color to hold the office of president, an examination of the strides made by women, and down ballot firsts are of import in setting the stage for future races as immediate as 2025 and election cycles thereafter.

Firsts from the November 2024 Election

The state of Maryland made history, with the election of Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks, who became the first African American woman to represent Maryland in the United States Senate. Neighboring state of Delaware followed suit with a first of its own, by electing Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester, to represent Delaware in the United States Senate. The two victories are historic, as for the first time in history the US Senate has two Black women serving at the same time. Additional firsts during the November 2024 election saw Janelle Bynum become the first Black member of Congress from the state of Oregon, and Pennsylvania elected the first Asian American to the state Senate, with Patty Kim’s victory. November 2024 served as a key teaching moment and the opportunity for lessons learned in victory and defeat. The noted firsts speak to the opportunity and insights of down ballot voting and the importance of a wholistic approach to voter participation and understanding the power of the down ballot to influence current and future state policy outcomes.

Down Ballot Impact

The firsts noted in the US Senate, speaks to the weight of down ballot voting and how critical, voices and participating in the democratic process of voting truly is. Down ballot voting historically has been overlooked, often with the spotlight on national races as opposed to local races. Localized efforts have significant impact on jurisdictions and regions, from equitable resource allocation among localities as it related to schools, to public works and residential and housing zoning, as well as community amenities and policy issues on a national scale such as climate justice, criminal justice and reproductive rights. What we often do not realize is that down ballot candidates can often become “up ballot” candidates and holding public officials accountable at every level is the intention of a healthy, thriving democracy; and the very state House and Senate members elected can be integral contributors to how representation is determined, through architecting district mapping and redistricting decisions-making. Noted ballot victories from the November 2024 election include Shomari Figures, representing Alabama in a newly redrawn majority-Black Congressional district.

Delaware locked two historic victories with the aforementioned election of Lisa Blunt Rochester and also the election of Sarah McBride, the first transgender person elected to Congress. Michigan also sealed a down ballot victory with the election of Elissa Slotkin in the US Senate. As we continue to evolve our understanding of political landscape undercurrents, it’s important to note that down ballot elections also include seats such as the prosecutor’s office and the governor’s mansion, two critical seats of power in localities.

Looking Forward: Virginia’s 2025 Gubernatorial Race

In noting the firsts achieved in November 2024 in continuing to make strides to ensure true representation in government, we shift our attention to the Commonwealth of Virginia where 2025 found the City of Alexandria electing Alyia Gaskins as the first Black woman mayor. And in November 2025, the Commonwealth will elect a new governor. The current frontrunners for both parties are women, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger and Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears with Virginia on track to elect its first woman governor in the history of the Commonwealth. The candidates are polar opposites on issues, and their platforms will dictate who ends up in the Governor’s mansion, as the campaigns continue to unfold with the November 2024 presidential election in the rear-view mirror, this election serves as a case study on gender, ballot politics and the dynamics therein.