US midterm elections: More female governors than ever elected

Twelve women have been elected to serve as governors in the US, a new record following Tuesday’s election.

Ten have already been confirmed and two will emerge from women-only contests in two states, Arizona and Oregon.

There are currently nine female governors in the US – and women will also form at least 24% of the total in the newly-elected Congress.

State governors are key figures with enormous power, controlling many aspects of American life.

From education to abortion rights, governors have a say on issues decided at the state level.

According to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, women standing for and elected as governors will comprise at least 24% of all governors in the country.

And all the eight women governors who sought re-election were successful this year.

The Center emphasises the result of the election leaves only 18 states nationwide to have never had a woman serving as governor. The newly-elected governors are:

The two races still to be decided pit Katie Hobbs against Kari Lake in Arizona and Tina Kotek against Christine Drazan in Oregon.

The new record comes amid other first in these elections, including: