US midterm elections 2026: Record number of hijabis elected to statewide and national offices

Four state senators-elect and one US congresswoman who wear the hijab won office in Tuesday’s midterm elections, setting a record for hijab-wearing women elected to state and national positions. Their victories mark a notable increase in representation amid a political climate the article describes as hostile towards Muslims.

The article links the electoral gains to a broader wave of firsts and a backlash against President Donald Trump’s administration, which took office in January 2025. It also notes that the Muslim Public Affairs Council had warned that far-right anti-Muslim provocations could prompt greater law enforcement presence and deter Muslim Americans from voting; turnout demographics are still being assessed.