Here are the Black candidates who could make history on election night

By Char Adams, NBC News

Today, two dozen Black major party candidates are battling for U.S. Senate, governor and other high office positions across the country. This is already a record, and, if successful, some of the candidates would be the first Black people to hold the top elected offices in their states. 

There have been seven Black senators and two governors elected in the nation’s history since Reconstruction. At least 28 states have had a Black representative in Congress, and Black Americans hold 56 seats in the House. In the midterms there are 11 running for Senate; 5 running for governor; and about eight running for high offices like attorney general, lieutenant governor and secretary of state. To that note, these elections could produce some historical firsts for their Black candidates.

Although the House of Representatives has seen more diversity in recent years, with the 116th Congress having the most diverse class of members in its history, the 2022 midterms could increase those numbers and offer some historic firsts. Democrat Summer Lee, a second-term Pennsylvania state House member, who is a favorite to beat out Republican Mike Doyle, would become the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania. Community organizer Democrat Odessa Kelly would be the first openly gay Black congresswoman and the first Black woman to represent Tennessee in Congress if she wins against her Republican opponent, Rep. Mark Green.  

These wins would help diversify the overwhelmingly white, male makeup of the highest offices and signal a modicum of progress in a country still feeling the racial ripple effects of Donald Trump’s presidency and the desire for change after the George Floyd protests of 2020. In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams is hoping to defeat GOP Gov. Brian Kemp to become the state’s first Black governor — she’d also be the first Black woman in the country’s history to hold a governor seat. In Maryland, Rep. Anthony Brown could be the state’s first Black attorney general if he defeats Republican Michael Peroutka. Smaller historic races include Rep. Karen Bass’ bid to become Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor. 

NBC News has the full list of Black candidates.

While many Black women are energized for the election, Black men may not join them at the polls.

We’ll cover election results on our breaking news page.