Abdul El-Sayed, 42, is set to become the first Muslim senator after winning Michigan's seat in the US midterm elections. Born to Egyptian immigrant parents, El-Sayed ran a social media-first campaign that utilized TikTok edits and Gen Z humor to reach young voters. His platform focused on a progressive agenda, including Medicare for All, affordable housing, and curbing corporate influence in politics, while also acting as a vocal critic of US military aid to Israel.
During his victory rally, El-Sayed playfully addressed Vice-President JD Vance as "habibi (my love)," despite Vance having campaigned against him. El-Sayed had spent his campaign fending off accusations from President Donald Trump, who alleged El-Sayed supported the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed rejected these allegations, stating to the crowd, "My name is Abdul Rahman Mohammed El-Sayed."
Other candidates with African roots also secured victories in the midterms. Melat Kiros, 29, became the first Gen Z woman elected to the US Congress. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Denver, Kiros defeated a 15-term incumbent in Colorado's 1st District. She campaigned on universal childcare, the cost of living, and Medicare for All. Kiros, who was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ending US military aid to Israel.
Kiros's outspoken criticism of Israel's war in Gaza has drawn controversy. She stated her criticism is directed at the Israeli state, not Jewish people. In 2023, Kiros was fired from a top New York law firm after refusing to remove an open letter regarding antisemitism on campuses. While she condemned antisemitism, she warned law firms against conflating "such bigotry with the geo-political question of Israel's legitimacy." She noted she began thinking more seriously about politics after her firing.
In Maryland's 5th Congressional District, 32-year-old Adrian Boafo will succeed the retiring veteran Congressman Steny Hoyer. A second-generation Ghanaian-American born in Virginia, Boafo previously served on the Bowie City Council and as a Maryland state delegate in 2023. Having worked for Hoyer, Boafo won the race by focusing on federal worker protection, childcare, and the cost of living. In his victory statement, Boafo said representing constituents had "never felt more urgent," citing federal job cuts and the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Somali-born Ilhan Omar, 44, won a fifth term in Congress despite a federal investigation into her immigration paperwork, which involved a search of her home in October. Omar has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. Trump has repeatedly criticized Omar and other Somali immigrants, though his Yemeni-born adviser, Amer Ghalib, said in October that the president would refrain from using derogatory language regarding African countries.
Breakthroughs also occurred in state and local politics. Junior Ezeonu, born in Nigeria, won a seat in the Texas State House after previously serving as Grand Prairie's youngest city council member at age 27. Additionally, Carol Kazeem, 34, a Pennsylvania state legislator of Nigerian heritage, retained her seat at District 159. At least four candidates with Nigerian heritage won in the November 3 midterms.
