Jetpac and CAIR announce historic Muslim wins in 2022 Midterm Elections

Currently, 29 American Muslims state legislators serve in 18 states. Prior to tonight, New York and Minnesota led the pack with 3 each. Only 5 of the 29 American Muslims elected officials in state legislatures were elected prior to January of 2017.

Last month, CAIR and Jetpac released the first national directory of local, state and federal elected Muslim officials and judges.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“Tonight’s historic string of record-breaking American Muslim electoral victories is a testament to our community’s ongoing rise in American politics and the trust our neighbors have placed in us to represent them and fight for their interests.

“We are witnessing the next step in the American Muslim community’s political transformation from marginalized voices that were sidelined, or worse, to decision makers. These newly-elected officials are building upon the success of our community’s decades-long investment in civic engagement, voter registration and running for office.

“We call on all American Muslim elected leaders to draw inspiration from their Islamic faith and work for the best possible future of all Americans.”

In a statement, Jetpac Resource Center Executive Director Mohammed Missouri said:

“I’m inspired by the historic wins we are seeing in local and state elections across the country. It shows that the Muslim community is building solid infrastructure for sustained electoral success. Policy decisions on education, housing, climate, and civil rights are shaped by state legislatures and it is critical that our voice is represented in the policymaking process.”  

CAIR and Jetpac Resource Center noted that a growing number of Islamic community centers and mosques that opened their doors as polling stations for voters to cast their ballots, including the Muslim Association of Virginia’s Dar Alnoor Islamic Community Center in Prince William County.

CONFIRMED AMERICAN MUSLIM STATE LEGISLATIVE, STATEWIDE, AND FEDERAL ELECTORAL RESULTS AS OF 11:00 PM ET, 11/8/22,

Colorado: Incumbent, first-term State Representative Iman Jodeh (D), the first Muslim elected to the Colorado State Legislature, is expected to win reelection to represent State House District 41.

Connecticut: Incumbent, first-term State Senator Saud Anwar (D), the first Muslim elected to the Connecticut State Legislature, is running for reelection and is expected to prevail. State Representative Maryam Khan (D), who waselected in March 2022 in a special election, is expected to win reelection in her first reelection.

Delaware: Incumbent, first-term State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton (D), the first Muslim elected to the Delaware State Legislature, is projected to win her first reelection.

Iowa: Incumbent State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad (D), who has served in the Iowa State Legislature since 2007, is projected to win reelection.

Illinois: Democrats Abdelnasser Rashid and Nabeela Syed are projected to win the elections to represent State House Districts 21 and State House District 51, respectively. They would be the first Muslims elected to the Illinois State Legislature.

Florida: State Representative Christopher Benjamin, the incumbent first-term Democrat, has already been declared the winner after his general election race was canceled due to no other challengers qualifying for the ballot.

Georgia: Incumbent State Senator Sheikh Rahman, the lone Muslim in the State Legislature, does not have a challenger for the District 5 seat. He could be joined by Nabilah Islam should she prevail in the race to represent State Senate District 7. On the State House side, Ruwa Romman is the projected winner to represent District 97. Islam would be the first Muslim woman elected to the State Senate while Romman would be the first Muslim woman elected to the State House of Representatives.

Maine: Democrat Mana Abdi made history when she was elected to represent State House District 95. Abdi was unopposed in the general election after her Republican challenger withdrew from the race after posting on Facebook that Muslims “should not be allowed to hold public office.” South Portland Mayor Deqa Dhalac could join her in the State House of Representatives should she prevail in the election to represent State House District 120.

Minnesota: Democrat Zaynab Mohamed is the projected winner in the race to represent State Senate District 63 and will be the first Muslim woman elected to the State Senate. She would join fellow Democratic State Senator Omar Fateh who is projected to win reelection. Democratic State Representatives Hodan Hassan and Mohamud Noor are projected to secure reelection and could be joined by Samakab Hussein who has a large lead in the race to represent State House District 65A.

The Minnesota Attorney General election between incumbent Keith Ellison (D), previously the first American Muslim elected to Congress, and rival Jim Schultz (R) is too early to call at the time of this release.

New Hampshire: State Representative Aboul Khan (R), the first Muslim elected to the New Hampshire State Legislature, has secured reelection.

New York: Incumbent State Representatives Charles Fall (D)and Zohran Kwame Mamdani are unopposed, whileState Senator Robert Jackson (D), the firstNew York Muslim State Senator is projected to win reelection.

North Carolina: State Senator Mujtaba Mohammed (D) is unopposed for reelection, while State Representative Nasif Majeed (D) is expected to prevail in his reelection.

Oklahoma: First-term incumbent Mauree Turner, the first Muslim elected to the Oklahoma State Legislature, is projected to win reelection to represent State House District 88.

Ohio: Democrat Munira Abdullahi does not have a challenger in the general election for State House District 9 and has become the first Muslim elected to the Ohio State Legislature. She is projected to be joined by Ismail Mohammed, a Democrat running for State House District 3.

Oregon: State Senator Kayse Jama (D), the first Muslim to serve in the Oregon State Legislature,is seeking a full elected term. He was appointed in January 2021 to fill out a vacated seat.

Pennsylvania: Democrat Tarik Khan is projected to win the race to represent StateHouse District 194. He will join State Representative Jason Dawkins (D) who is unopposed for reelection.

Texas: Former Euless City Councilor Salman Bhojani, a Democrat, is running for Texas House District 92 and is projected to win. Bhojani would be the first Muslim elected to the Texas State Legislature should he prevail and could be joined by Suleman Lalani (D) who is leading the race to represent State House District 76.

Washington: Democrat Yasmin Trudeau, who became the first Muslim to serve in the Washington Legislature when she was appointed to fill out a vacated term in November 2021, is running for a full-term to continue representing State Senate District 27.

Wisconsin: First-term incumbent State Representative Samba Baldeh (D) is running for reelection and does not have a challenger for State House District 48.

Jetpac Resource Center is a non-profit committed to increase Muslim representation in U.S. government and politics.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.