At least 36 Muslim candidates win or lead races in 2026 US midterm elections

By MNTV Staff Writer

At least 36 Muslim candidates won or were leading in races across the United States’ 2026 midterm elections, according to preliminary results available Wednesday. Voters elected Muslim representatives to federal, state and local offices.

Eight of the winners are headed to Congress: one to the US Senate and seven to the House of Representatives. Another 26 won or were leading in state legislative races, while two more secured judicial and county offices.

Among the most notable outcomes was Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s US Senate race. Democratic candidate defeated Republican former congressman Mike Rogers, making him the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.

Incumbents Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, André Carson of Indiana and Lateefah Simon of California all secured re-election to the House.

Adam Hamawy won his congressional race in New Jersey’s 12th District, becoming the state’s first Muslim member of Congress. Darializa Avila Chevalier was reported among the winners in New York’s 13th District.

Aisha Wahab, who entered Congress after an August special election, won a full term in California’s 14th District.

In the Midwest, several Muslim candidates secured victories or established leads in state legislative contests.

Abbas Alawieh, Alabas Farhat and Jalal Abdallah were leading in Michigan legislative races, while Munira Abdullahi and Ismail Mohamed won their respective Ohio House contests.

State Rep. Nabeela Syed flipped a Republican-held Illinois State Senate seat, defeating appointed Sen. Darby Hills in the 26th District. Abdelnasser Rashid was projected to retain his seat in the Illinois House. Mariam Saad Bazzi was also among the leading candidates in Michigan’s Court of Appeals election.

Minnesota saw victories by state lawmakers Omar Fateh and Zaynab Mohamed, while Mohamud Noor and Samakab Hussein secured their uncontested legislative races.

In Oregon, state Senator Kayse Jama retained his seat without opposition. However, Nafisa Fai remained behind Pam Treece in the race for Washington County Chair, where additional ballots were still being counted.

In Washington state, Osman Salahuddin led his race for the 48th District state House seat with about 69% of the vote.

In the Northeast, Aber Kawas won New York’s 12th State Senate District, while incumbent Robert Jackson retained his seat without opposition.

Connecticut lawmakers Maryam Khan and Saud Anwar also won their respective state Senate races. MD Rahman was seeking re-election in Connecticut’s 4th Senate District, where results were not yet available. Madinah Wilson-Anton and Tarik Khan retained their legislative seats in Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively.

In the South, Ruwa Romman won Georgia’s State Senate District 7, while Sheikh Rahman retained his seat without opposition. Farooq Mughal won back his former Georgia House seat, flipping the district from Republican to Democratic control.

Texas lawmakers Salman Bhojani and Suleman Lalani secured re-election, while Letitia Plummer won the Harris County Judge election. North Carolina state Senator Mujtaba Mohammed also retained his seat.

Iman Jodeh won Colorado’s State Senate District 29.

Not all Muslim candidates secured victories. Republican congressional candidate Zuhdi Jasser lost his race in Arizona’s 4th District, and Imtiaz Mohammad was defeated in Florida House District 103.

In Minnesota, Hennepin County Commissioner candidate Sharon El-Amin trailed incumbent Irene Fernando, while several other races remained subject to further counting and official confirmation.

The results also highlighted the growing presence of Muslim candidates at every level of American politics, from Congress and state legislatures to county governments.

All figures and outcomes remain subject to official certification, with some races still awaiting final results.