From the yard to the ballot box, Tuesday’s midterm elections prove that the Divine Nine’s influence reaches far beyond Greek life. Long before election night, our fraternities and sororities were building leaders, mobilizing communities and creating pathways to influence. Now, that legacy is showing up in political offices across the country. With names like Wes Moore, Keisha Lance Bottoms, David Crowley and Juliana Stratton in the conversation, the 2026 midterms have brought another dimension to Black political representation. The blue wave has a D9 connection, so we’re taking a closer look at what it means for leadership, collective power and the future of Black America.
David Crowley – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
From Milwaukee’s neighborhoods to countywide leadership, David Crowley made history in 2020 as the first Black Milwaukee County Executive. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Penny Brown Reynolds – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Divine Nine history was made when Penny Brown Reynolds, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., won Secretary of State, becoming the first Divine Nine member to hold the office.
RELATED: How HBCU Grads Made Their Mark on the 2026 Midterms
Adrienne Adams – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
New York made history in 2026. Adrienne Adams won the election as lieutenant governor, running alongside incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member is now the state’s first Black woman lieutenant governor.
Wes Moore – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was reelected, securing his title as Maryland’s first Black governor. He proudly represents Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Juliana Stratton – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
From Springfield to Washington, Juliana Stratton won Illinois’ 2026 U.S. Senate election. Her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. connection adds another Divine Nine milestone.
Aaron Ford – Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Nevada is certainly turning a new page. Aaron Ford won the 2026 gubernatorial election, becoming the state’s first Black governor. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Donna Miller – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
A new congressional chapter begins. Donna Miller, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., won Illinois’ Second Congressional District, bringing her leadership from Cook County to the nation’s capital.
Jennifer McClellan — Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Virginia’s D9 congressional representation continues! Jennifer McClellan, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., won reelection to the U.S. House, representing Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District.
Jim Clyburn – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Jim Clyburn, a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., won reelection in South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District.
Frederick Haynes III – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
From the pulpit to Capitol Hill. Frederick Haynes III, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., won Texas’ Thirtieth Congressional District, entering a new chapter of public service.
Janeese Lewis George – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Janeese Lewis George, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., deserves recognition. She was elected to serve as the mayor of Washington, D.C.
Kweisi Mfume – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Baltimore’s congressional voice remains in Washington after Kweisi Mfume, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., won reelection in Maryland’s Seventh Congressional District.
Keisha Lance Bottoms – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Georgia welcomed a new chapter when Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman to win a gubernatorial race in the state and nationwide. She’s a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Hakeem Jeffries – Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Hakeem Jeffries, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., won reelection to New York’s Eighth Congressional District, continuing his leadership in the House. He’s poised to become the country’s first Black Speaker of the House.
Tiffany Moore Russell – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Orange County, Florida welcomes a new chapter with Tiffany Moore Russell, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She became the city’s first Black mayor in history.
