Muslim candidates have made significant strides in the 2026 United States midterm elections, with several prominent Muslim lawmakers retaining their seats and new entrants making history. The victories came as the Democratic Party reclaimed control of both chambers of the US Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, in a major setback for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party.
Among the Muslim candidates who won their respective contests were Congresswomen Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, as well as Congressman André Carson of Indiana, who secured re-election to the House of Representatives. Another significant victory was recorded by Dr Adam Hamawy, a former US Army combat surgeon, who defeated Republican Gregg Mele in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District to become the state’s first Muslim member of Congress.
Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat who challenged Republican Mike Rogers for Michigan’s open US Senate seat, declared victory early Wednesday, November 4, describing himself as senator-elect and expressing gratitude to supporters. If confirmed, his victory would make him the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate, marking a historic milestone for Muslim political representation in the country.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar won a fifth term representing Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District after defeating Republican challenger John Nagel. Similarly, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib secured re-election in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, and Congressman André Carson also won re-election in Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District, retaining a seat he has held since 2008.
Dr Adam Hamawy’s victory in New Jersey makes him the first Muslim elected to represent the state in the US Congress. Hamawy, 56, is a plastic surgeon, retired US Army combat doctor and humanitarian medical worker. Born in Egypt and raised in the United States, he served as a military surgeon during the Iraq War and later participated in humanitarian medical missions in several countries.
The midterm elections have reshaped the balance of political power in Washington, with Democrats winning control of the Senate and House of Representatives, ending the Republican Party’s control of both chambers. Democrats secured at least seven Senate pickups, including victories in traditionally Republican states such as Texas and Kansas.
President Donald Trump reacted to the results, acknowledging that Democrats had performed well, saying they “did a good job” and had “fought hard”. He also indicated that he would work with the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress, although he warned that he would veto legislation he considered unacceptable, saying “They’ll send over things that are insane, and I’ll veto them.”
Key points
- Muslim candidates make history in US Midterm Elections
- Democrats retake control of US Congress
- New Muslim representatives to be sworn into US Congress in January 2027
