Record number of Muslims elected to United States Congress

A record seven Muslims won seats in the United States Congress during the recent elections, including six members of the House of Representatives and one member of the Senate.

Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat from Michigan, became the first Muslim ever elected to the U.S. Senate. El-Sayed, a former public health official and son of Egyptian immigrants, faced significant scrutiny and accusations regarding his faith during the campaign.

Several other candidates secured their seats or won them for the first time. Incumbent Democrats André Carson, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Lateefah Simon all won reelection to the House. Dr. Adam Hamawy won a seat in New Jersey, and Darializa Avila Chevalier won a seat in New York. Avila Chevalier, a pro-Palestinian activist and daughter of Dominican immigrants, became the first Latina Muslim elected to Congress.

Aisha Wahab is currently leading a race to secure a full term in California. The Council on American Islamic Relations reported that more than 160 Muslims ran for local, state, and federal offices during this cycle. This number increased from 145 candidates in 2022. These victories occurred despite a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric. In state and local races, Dr. Letitia Plummer became the highest-ranking elected Muslim woman in Texas after winning a county judge seat in Harris County.