Frahm was appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy caused by Senator Robert Dole's resignation to run for the presidency. She lost her primary bid to complete the term.
Kassebaum was the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate without having previously filled an unexpired congressional term. After her initial election, she was appointed to fill a brief vacancy caused by the resignation of her predecessor.
Finney was the first woman to defeat an incumbent governor.
Shanahan was appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the death of her husband; she was subsequently elected.