And Other Notable Firsts
By Bareerah Zafar
Despite a rise in Islamophobic propaganda from far-right politicians throughout the country, Muslim Americans won big during the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. Included in these victories are four hijab-wearing state senator-elects and one hijab-wearing U.S. congresswoman – a record for the country. There was also a record of eight Muslims elected into the U.S. Congress including the first Muslim U.S. senator.
Americans also saw historic victories across multiple states and communities, from the election of the first Black, Native American, and Latina woman governors to multiple Muslim representatives stepping onto the national political stage.
Democrats also now have the majority in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate after flipping numerous historically-red seats.
Here are some Muslim Americans who secured notable firsts in the midterm elections:
1. Abdul El-Sayed (D) – This week, Michigan doctor and son of Egyptian immigrants Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Mike Rogers. Despite facing incessant anti-Muslim rhetoric from members of the Republican party, including U.S. President Donald Trump, El-Sayed handily won the Senate seat with over 52% of the votes.
2. Adam Hamawy (D) – Egyptian American surgeon Adam Hamawy became New Jersey’s first Muslim representative in Congress after defeating Republican Greg Mele in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. He formerly served as a physician for the U.S. Army and recently volunteered in Gaza treating victims of the ongoing genocide. He received over 70% of the votes.
3. Aber Kawas (D) – Organizer Aber Kawas became the first Palestinian American and first hijab-wearing woman elected to New York state legislature after winning over 75% of the votes in the race for the New York State Senate District 12 seat. Kawas has over 15 years of experience as an organizer fighting for Palestinian rights, workers’ rights, and for the safety of immigrant communities. In 2023, she was part of an investigative study that discovered U.S. charities had raised millions of dollars to help Jewish Americans settle in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This week, she secured one of five victories for the Democratic Socialists of America.
4. Darializa Avila Chevalier (D) – Activist Darializa Avila Chevalier became the first Afro-Latina Muslim congresswoman after winning a seat in New York’s 13th Congressional district. This 33-year-old convert of Dominican descent previously served as an organizer for Black Youth Project 100 and Families for Freedom and was involved with the Columbia College chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. She also secured a victory for the Democratic Socialists of America with over 87% of the votes in her district.
More Wins for Muslims
1. Congresswoman Aisha Wahab, who made history earlier this year as the first Afghan American elected to Congress, is protected to retain her seat for California 14th District. Wahab took over the seat of former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) in September after he resigned amid accusations of sexual misconduct. At the time of writing Wahab maintains a lead of 56%, well ahead of her opponent Melissa Hernandez (D).
2. Indian American Nabeela Syed (D) flipped the Illinois Senate seat after defeating Republican Darby Hills in the state’s 26th state senate district, transferring it from Republican to Democratic control. In 2022, at the age of 23, she made history as one of the youngest lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly and one of the first Muslim women to serve in the state legislature. This week, she received 57% of the votes in her election.
3. Rashida Tlaib (D), the first Palestinian American congresswoman, retained her seat in the House of Representatives and will serve a fifth term representing Michigan’s 12th Congressional District.
4. Ilhan Omar (D), the first Somali American and first hijab-wearing woman to serve in Congress also retained her seat and will serve another term in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. Tlaib and Omar were the first two Muslim women elected to Congress during the 2018 midterm elections.
5. Muslim Democrats Andre Carson and Lateefah Simon also retained their seats in the House. Carson will continue to serve Indiana’s 7th District and Simon will continue to serve California’s 12th District.
6. Osman Salahuddin (D) was elected to serve another term in the Washington State House of Representatives, representing the 48th district.
7. Other Palestinian American Muslim victories included that of Iman Jodeh (D) who was elected to Colorado’s 29th State Senate District; Ruwa Romman (D) who was elected to Georgia’s 7th State Senate District; and Abdelnasser Rashid (D) who retained his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives for the state’s 21st district.
8. Abbas Alawieh (D) – who gained national recognition as a leader of the Uncommitted National Movement during the 2024 presidential elections – was elected to the Michigan State Senate to represent District 2, becoming the first Arab American Muslim to serve in that body.
9. Mayland Muslim candidate Amar Mukunda (D) became the first South Asian elected to the state senate after defeating a long-time incumbent Nancy J. King (D) in the State Senate. Democratic delegates Sean Stinnett, Caylin Young, and Sarah Wolek who were re-elected to Maryland state legislature.
10. Pakistani American Meriam Sabih (D) incumbent Republican Milou Mackenzie in the race for District 131 in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In Nevada, Assembly District 34 incumbent Hanadi Nadeem (D) won re-election against Republican Brandon Davis.
11. Pakistani American lawmakers Salman Bhojani (D) and Suleman Lalani (D) secured re-election in Texas’ House of Representatives, while physician Saud Anwar (D) retained his Connecticut State Senate seat and health care worker Tarik Khan (D) won another term in Pennsylvania’s House.
12. Other wins for Muslim women in the midterm elections include Zaynab Mohamed (D) in Minnesota’s State Senate; Munira Abdullahi (D) in Ohio’s House of Representatives; Maryam Khan (D) in Connecticut’s House; and Madinah Wilson-Anton (D) in Delaware’s House.
Other Historic Firsts
1. Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) – Former Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms made history by flipping Georgia’s governor’s seat – which had been held by a Republican since 1998 – and becoming the first Black woman elected as governor in any U.S. state. She beat Republican billionaire Rick Jackson, receiving over 54% of the votes.
2. Deb Haaland (D) – The former U.S. Secretary of the Interior nabs the win in New Mexico’s race for governor, becoming the first Native American governor in U.S. history. In 2018, she was one of the first two indigenous women elected to Congress. She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe and secured over 57% of the votes.
3. Gina Hinojosa (D) – In the Texas race for governor, Rep. Gina Hinojosa beat incumbent Republican Greg Abbott, who was aiming to win his fourth term. She is the state’s first Latina to be elected as governor and the first Democrat to win the office since 1990. She won nearly 53% of the vote.
4. Amy Acton (D) – Physician and former Director of Ohio’s Department of Health Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and is on her way to becoming the state’s first female governor. This victory came despite a targeted ad campaign funded by Ramaswamy and featuring Acton’s estranged mother calling her a liar. Acton emerged on top with 52% of the votes.
5. Byron Donalds (R) – Rep. Byron Donalds, who was endorsed by Trump, won Florida’s gubernatorial race by a slim margin, receiving 50% of the votes. He will be the state’s first Black governor, succeeding Republican Ron DeSantis, who reached his term limit. Donalds previously served three terms as a congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives.
6. Xavier Becerra (D) – Attorney and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra made history as he won California’s gubernatorial race, becoming the state’s first Latino governor. He beat his Republican opponent Steve Hilton by securing over 64% of the votes.
7. Penny Flanagan (D) – Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Penny Flanagan is the first Native American woman to be elected to the US Senate. She beat Republican Michele Tafoya with nearly 54% of votes. Flanagan is Ojibwe and a member of the White Earth Nation.
8. David Crowley (D) – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won Wisconsin’s governor race, becoming the first Black person to hold the office. After dropping out of the race over the summer, he rejoined the race at the urging of outgoing Democratic governor Tony Evers. He defeated Republican Tom Tiffany with 54% of the votes.
9. Pooja Sethi (D) – Pooja Sethi won her race for Texas House District 47, making history as the first Indian American woman and the first Asian American Democratic woman elected to Texas state legislature. She defeated Jennifer Mushtaler (R) for the open seat.
Note: The Islamic Society of North America does not endorse any politician, political candidate, or political party.
Bareerah Zafar is the assistant editor of Islamic Horizons.