‘DEI is back!’: Ro Khanna hails Democratic wins as party makes history in US midterm elections

US Representative Ro Khanna on Wednesday celebrated the Democratic Party's sweeping gains in the November 3 US midterm elections, declaring "DEI is back!" as candidates from historically underrepresented communities secured landmark victories across the country, including in Republican-leaning states.

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, ending the Republican Party's hold over the House of Representatives and the Senate. The results also delivered several historic firsts, including the election of the first Latina governor of Texas, the first Muslim American senator and the first openly gay man in the Senate.

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Khanna, a Democrat representing California's 17th Congressional District, took to X to celebrate the diversity of candidates who won their respective races, pointing to the increased representation of Black, Latino, Muslim and LGBTQ+ leaders in American politics.

"DEI is back! Tonight, DEI is back as America celebrated diversity and inclusion. Likely three black governors, the first Latina governor in Texas, the first Muslim American senator, the first gay senator. I love this America," he wrote.

DEI, short for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, refers to policies and practices intended to promote equal opportunities and participation, particularly for communities that have historically faced discrimination or marginalisation. The framework has roots in the US Civil Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited employment discrimination on several grounds, including race, religion, sex and national origin.

Historic firsts for Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ representation

The victories Khanna referred to included Republican Byron Donalds winning the Florida governor's race, making him the state's first Black governor. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in the United States after winning in Georgia, while Democrat David Crowley secured the governorship in Wisconsin.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, already the third elected Black governor in US history, also secured another term. This took the number of Black governors elected or re-elected in the November 3 contests to four.

Texas witnessed another landmark result, with Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeating incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott to become the state's first Latina governor. Her victory also ended more than three decades of Republican control of the Texas governor's office.

The Senate races delivered two other historic outcomes. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan to become the first Muslim American elected to the US Senate. In New Hampshire, Democrat Chris Pappas defeated former Republican Senator John Sununu, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the upper chamber.

Democratic victories extended beyond these closely watched contests. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race, marking the first time since 1988 that the party had won a US Senate election in the state.

Kansas also delivered a breakthrough for Democrats, with Adam Hamilton defeating Republican Senator Roger Marshall. The victory ended a 94-year gap since the state last elected a Democrat to the Senate. In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson in the Senate contest, while Rob Sand won the gubernatorial race.

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Hochul, Hinojosa celebrate victories as Democrats reclaim Senate

The results prompted celebrations among Democratic leaders, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul thanking voters after securing another term in office. According to NBC News projections, Hochul defeated Republican Bruce Blakeman in the gubernatorial contest.

"I love New York! And tomorrow, I'll get up and go right back to work," Hochul said in a post on X.

Hinojosa also pledged to represent Texans regardless of their political affiliations, saying her victory carried an obligation to restore public trust in the state's government.

"Tonight, I make a solemn promise to every single Texan. Whether you voted for me or Governor Abbott, or felt so betrayed by a broken politics that you did not vote at all. Hear what Texas said today, loud and clear: Your government belongs to you. And as your governor, I will never forget it. There will be no special set of rules for the wealthy and powerful. No looking the other way when someone in my own party does wrong. The trust you have placed in me tonight is not a blank check. It is a sacred responsibility. And I intend to earn it every single day," she wrote on X.

CNN also reported Hinojosa's victory, while CBS News projected that Abbott had conceded after losing his re-election bid.

The Democratic Party's Senate leadership meanwhile celebrated its return to the chamber's majority, describing the result as a major turnaround against the odds.

"Against all odds, Democrats have won back the Senate. We have five words for the American people: Relief is on the way," the party said in a post on X.

The shift in congressional control is expected to give Democrats greater leverage in scrutinising President Donald Trump's administration, challenging legislative proposals and exercising oversight over federal policies.