At least seven Muslims win US congressional seats in midterms
The winners include a Democrat who became the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, as Democrats also took control of both chambers.
At least seven Muslims won seats in the US Congress in the midterm elections held on Tuesday, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
The results shifted the balance of power in Washington, with Democrats taking control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives from Republicans.
Many of the successful candidates campaigned on civil rights, healthcare and foreign policy, and several criticized unconditional US military support for Israel amid the war in Gaza.
A 42-year-old Democrat, El-Sayed, defeated former Republican Representative Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, winning the seat left open by the retirement of Senator Gary Peters.
A physician and former public health official, El-Sayed described Israel's military operations in Gaza as genocide, and his religion became a target of attacks from Republicans and President Donald Trump during the campaign.
In New Jersey, a 56-year-old Democrat, Hamawy, defeated Republican Gregg Mele in the 12th Congressional District, becoming the first Muslim to represent the state in Congress.
A plastic surgeon and Iraq War veteran, Hamawy worked as a volunteer at the European Hospital in Gaza in 2024, and he campaigned for universal Medicare and an end to US military aid to Israel.
Chevalier, a civil rights investigator and doctoral student who converted to Islam, won more than 85 percent of the vote in her race.
Four Muslim members of the House also won reelection, including Representative Rashida Tlaib, who secured a fifth term in the 12th Congressional District, and Representative Ilhan Omar, who won a fifth term in the 5th District.
Representative Andre Carson, who has served since 2008, is the longest-serving Muslim lawmaker in the House, and he retained his Indianapolis-based 7th District seat.
Meanwhile, Aisha Wahab held an early lead in a separate California congressional race as votes continued to be counted.
