The 2025 elections were a huge success for Democrats across the country, as the party scored a series of crucial victories across the country, some of which were historic, and dealt a blow to Republicans and President Donald Trump a year into his second term.

Below is a list of candidates who broke the glass ceiling with their choices Tuesday night.

Ghazala Hashmi

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi is on track to become the first Muslim woman in the United States to be elected to state office following her victory over radio talk show host Republican John Reid in the race for Virginia lieutenant governor.

Hashmi, an Indian immigrant who moved to the United States as a child, was the target of Islamophobic attacks by Reid during the campaign. She previously made history as the first Muslim-American woman elected to serve in the Virginia legislature.

Democrat Ghazala Hashmi speaks on stage at an election night watch party for Democrat Abigail Spanberger after Hashmi was declared the winner of the race for Virginia lieutenant governor, on November 4, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia.
Democrat Ghazala Hashmi speaks on stage at an election night watch party for Democrat Abigail Spanberger after Hashmi was declared the winner of the race for Virginia lieutenant governor, on November 4, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia.

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Zohran Mamdani

Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani is projected to win the New York City mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, its first millennial mayor and the youngest in more than a century, at 34.

Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic primary, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, in a race that also generated historic turnout, with more than 2 million votes cast, according to data cited by city election officials.

Zohran Mamdani speaks after winning the mayoral election, Nov. 4, 2025, in New York.
Zohran Mamdani speaks after winning the mayoral election, Nov. 4, 2025, in New York.

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

Mary Sheffield

City Council Speaker Mary Sheffield is on track to soon take over as Detroit’s next mayor, making history as the first woman elected to the position.

Sheffield will succeed Mike Duggan in office, who decided not to seek a fourth term and is now running for governor of Michigan to succeed outgoing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who is ineligible to seek re-election due to term limits.

City Council Speaker Mary Sheffield speaks during an election night watch party after winning the mayoral race on November 4, 2025 in Detroit.
City Council Speaker Mary Sheffield speaks during an election night watch party after winning the mayoral race on November 4, 2025 in Detroit.

AP Photo/Paul Sancyá

Mikey Sherill

Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor, is expected to win the New Jersey gubernatorial race, making her the first Democratic candidate to hold the top job after defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican, was the first woman elected governor of the state.

Representative Mikie Sherrill, Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, during an election night event in East Brunswick, New Jersey, on November 4, 2025.
Representative Mikie Sherrill, Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, during an election night event in East Brunswick, New Jersey, on November 4, 2025.

Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Abigail Spanberger

Another Virginia candidate made history in the 2025 election. Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger will soon be sworn in as the state’s first female governor, following her projected victory over Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate who never won President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Spanberger will also be the first Democratic governor in her state to serve with a Democratic trifecta in about 40 years.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger looks at the crowd after being declared the winner of the Virginia gubernatorial race during an election night watch party on Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger looks at the crowd after being declared the winner of the Virginia gubernatorial race during an election night watch party on Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia.

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough