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US midterm elections 2026: Record number of hijabis elected to statewide and national offices
The 2026 US midterm elections sent four hijab-wearing women to state senates and one to Congress, setting a national record. Their victories mark a notable gain in representation amid rising anti-Muslim rhetoric and concerns that intimidation could discourage Muslim Americans from voting.
The article names Georgia’s Ruwa Romman, New York’s Aber Kawas and Illinois’s Nabeela Syed among the winners; Syed secured 57 per cent of the vote. Romman and Kawas are Palestinian immigrants, while Syed is Indian American. Their campaigns and public work have included healthcare affordability, civic participation and criticism of US policy on Israel and Gaza.
In short
- Five hijab-wearing women won statewide or national office.
- Their victories set a US record.
- The winners have diverse backgrounds and policy priorities.
Explained simply
US midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. Voters choose all seats in the House of Representatives and some seats in the Senate, as well as state and local officials; state senates are separate from the US Senate.
Muslim Americans are a diverse community, and hijab is a headscarf worn by some Muslim women. The women named in the story have different backgrounds and campaigns, with issues including healthcare costs, civic participation and US policy towards Israel and Gaza.
Representation in elected office can affect whose experiences are heard in public debate and policymaking. The reported gains also come amid concerns that anti-Muslim rhetoric and intimidation may affect Muslim Americans’ participation in elections.
Americas Elections Politics World