These women could make history in November’s midterms

A number of female candidates could make history in gubernatorial, House and Senate races this election cycle.

Voters will have the opportunity to elect some of the first openly lesbian women for governor, perhaps the first Gen Z female candidate to Congress and some of the first Black women for governor and Congress in their states, to name a few.

Those firsts demonstrate the diversifying candidacies that could play a key role in shaping American politics while also serving as a stark reminder of the continued barriers that women face in achieving higher office, particularly when it comes to race, sexuality, age and other aspects of identity.