(RNS) — Their election wins come amid an increasingly hostile political environment for Muslim American candidates.
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks at an election night event, early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
November 4, 2026
(RNS) — A record seven Muslims were elected to Congress, six to the House of Representatives and one to the Senate.
Early Wednesday (Nov. 4), Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Michigan Democrat, made history as the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. The son of Egyptian immigrants and a former public health official, the 42-year-old was repeatedly scrutinized and attacked for his faith. President Donald Trump labeled him a “jihadist” and claimed, without evidence, that El-Sayed was on the side of Muslim terrorist groups.
“Islamophobia backfired,” said Fatima Salman, a close childhood friend of El-Sayed who fundraised and campaigned for him. “Today is a day of joy, of celebration, and we need that moment because we have been under so much pressure for so long.”
Incumbent Democrats André Carson of Indiana’s 7th district, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota’s 5th district, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan’s 12th district and Lateefah Simon of California’s 12th district all secured reelection to the House. Two Democrats, Dr. Adam Hamawy in New Jersey’s 12th district and Darializa Avila Chevalier of New York’s 13th district won election for the first time. Aisha Wahab, a Democrat elected to Congress in an August special election, is leading in the race to secure a full term in California’s 14th district. As of 3:42 PM, AP has not called the race. If she wins, the final tally of Muslims in Congress would rise to eight.
Keith Ellison, Minnesota’s Democratic attorney general, in 2006 was the first Muslim elected to Congress. He left Congress after being elected Minnesota’s attorney general in 2018. The previous high for Muslims serving in Congress at once was five.
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(RNS graphic; AI-assisted)
While Democrats swept races across the country, the election of these Muslim candidates came despite escalating anti-Muslim rhetoric and campaigns that targeted their faith.
“At the beginning of the year, we were like, ‘How do we fight against the institutionalization of Islamophobia?’ And we knew that we could at the ballot box,” said Mohamed Gula, CEO of Emgage, a Muslim civic engagement group. “We didn’t know that we would have the allies that we have. We didn’t know that we would have this sense of belonging.”
In a victory speech, Dr. Hamawy of New Jersey condemned rising anti-Muslim rhetoric and closed with “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for “God is greatest.” “Some have tried to turn these words into a symbol of fear, but they have always been words of humility,” he said, adding, “in this moment of victory, I will do what my faith teaches me to do, and to give praise and glory to God, and to ask Him to keep me humble.”
Avila Chevalier, the 33-year-old New York Democrat, is the first Latina Muslim elected to Congress. The daughter of Dominican immigrants and a vocal pro-Palestinian activist, she converted to Islam four years ago.
RELATED: Midterm election results: El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to Senate
In state and local races, American Muslim candidates also won historic firsts. Dr. Letitia Plummer is now the highest-ranking elected Muslim woman in Texas. The Democrat was elected county judge (also known as county executive) of Harris County, the third-largest county in the U.S.
People watch election returns before Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed arrives at a Michigan Democratic Party election night event, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
In Michigan, three Muslim Democrats won state elections. Abbas Alawieh won a Senate seat, Jalal Abdallah won a House race and Alabas Farhat was reelected to the House. State Rep. Nabeela Syed flipped a Republican-held Illinois Senate seat. In Ohio, Democrats Munira Abdullahi and Ismail Mohamed won their House seats. Muslims running on the Democratic ticket also won or retained seats in Oregon, Texas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Georgia.
Overall, a record number of more than 160 Muslims were running for local, state and federal offices, up from 145 in 2022, according to the Council on American Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights group.
source https://religionnews.com/2026/11/04/at-least-7-muslims-were-elected-to-congress-a-record/
Categories: America, COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATION, Muslims, United States, USA