Politics
Muslim and Arab American candidates record historic midterm gains in US Congress
November 5, 2026 at 07:33 PM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 4 hours
Seven Muslim candidates won congressional seats in the November 3 midterm elections, the most Muslims elected to the US Congress in one vote.
- Egyptian-American Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.
- Egyptian-American surgeon Adam Hamawy, who volunteered in Gaza in 2024 and 2025, won New Jersey's 12th District, becoming the state's first Muslim congressman.
- El-Sayed told his rival Michigan "chose hope" over hate; Hamawy told Muslim children "You belong," responding to anti-Muslim attacks during their campaigns.
- Incumbents Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, André Carson, and Latifa Simon retained their seats; Omar said Trump would not silence her.