SALT LAKE CITY — From either end of the country, history is being made as more diverse candidates are winning elections and positions in politics. 

Diversity in east coast state elections

Along the east coast, Massachusetts championed a new governor. Not only is Maura Healey the first woman to hold the position, but she is also the first openly lesbian governor in the U.S. 

Similarly, Kathy Hochul will be the first female governor of New York.

Just further down in the Old Line State, Wes Moore made history in Maryland. Moore will serve as the first elected Black governor in the state. Alongside him is his running-mate, Aruna Miller, the first Indian-American and immigrant woman to be Lt. Governor of Maryland.

Next door in Pennsylvania, Summer Lee will take on the role of the first Black governor. 

Maxwell Frost is adding a different kind of diversity in Florida. In addition to being the first African Cuban to serve in congress, he is also the first from Generation Z to serve at just 25 years old. 

Election diversity in the West

Across the county and into the mountains, Robert Garcia has become the first openly gay immigrant elected to California’s congress. 

Right here in the Beehive state history is also in the making. Ogden is welcoming a second person of color onto their school board. 

Stacy Bernal had a major win in the District 2 seat over the two-term incumbent, Doug Barker. Her campaign promised to continue her diversity and inclusion efforts, specifically helping special needs students.

Presumptive Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera is taking a major lead in the polls over her opponent Nicholas Roberts.

Winning the position would continue Rivera’s role as Utah’s first female sheriff, a role that she has held since 2017. 

As more diverse candidates step into positions of authority, diversity activists say a more accurate population of the U.S. is represented. 

“Diversity widens viewpoints and takes different ideas and perspectives into account,” says Diversity for Social Impact, “creating richer solutions, obtaining better results and maximizing productivity, innovation and creativity.”

Related reading: At least 147,000 ballots still need to be counted in Salt Lake County election