Former Navy SEAL Brett Jones made history as the first out gay person elected sheriff in Alabama after campaigning on jail reform and accountability.
In a historic first, Scott Colom won election to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first person of color elected to that role from the state of Mississippi since Reconstruction.
And of course, that man from Michigan, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed becomes the nation's first Muslim, Arab-American Senator in the most talked about political race this year.
What do all of these firsts have in common...?
They all reached across traditional party lines, ethnic and racial divides to hear the will of the people. This is the most hopeful I've felt for the future of our nation in years.