Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat Hakeem Jeffries are the first Black people in history to be nominated to lead their party in Congress.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries seems poised to succeed Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader.
Longtime North Carolina Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who presides over a district that has been held by a Black representative for nearly the last 30 years, won't seek re-election in part because of a "racially gerrymandered" redrawn congressional map.
On Jan. 3, at least 141 women, including 51 women of color will be sworn in. Eight races involving women had yet to be called as of Nov. 16, meaning this number could still grow.
The 2018 midterm elections have become even more urgent now.
Attorney General of California Kamala Harris, who became the second Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate, and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown are among leaders scheduled to serve in Congress in 2017.
