42 Muslim Americans Achieve Record Wins in US Polls

Forty-two candidates across nine states signal a new era of Muslim representation in American politics, overcoming fear and misinformation to claim historic victories.

The unprecedented wave of Muslim officeholders marks a generational and cultural shift in U.S. democracy, driven by grassroots organizing and youthful optimism.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In a remarkable show of civic engagement and perseverance, 42 Muslim Americans have been elected to public office across the United States in this year’s off-year elections.

This marks the largest number of Muslim victories in American political history.

The diverse group of winners spans at least nine states, from New York and Virginia to Michigan, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

The newly elected officials include five mayors, four state legislators, two judges, and dozens of city council, school board, and county officials, reflecting both the breadth and depth of Muslim participation in American democracy.

This record-setting result, documented by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its advocacy affiliate CAIR Action, underscores a decade-long shift — from Muslim political marginalization in the post-9/11 era to growing representation at nearly every level of U.S. government.

Historic firsts from coast to coast

The standout victories include Zohran K. Mamdani, who made history by becoming New York City’s first Muslim mayor — a stunning turnaround in one of the world’s most-watched political contests.

Mamdani, a former state legislator and son of renowned scholar Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, ran on a progressive platform focused on housing affordability, police reform, and immigrant rights. His victory in the nation’s largest city was hailed as a watershed moment for Muslim representation in urban American politics.

In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi broke another barrier by becoming the first Muslim lieutenant governor in U.S. history, and the first Muslim woman ever elected to a statewide office.

Hashmi, a Pakistani American educator who first entered politics in 2019, has been known for her focus on education equity, women’s rights, and environmental justice.

Her election alongside other Muslim candidates in Virginia marks a significant expansion of Muslim political participation in the southern states.

“Every time we see someone from a marginalized background take the oath of office, it’s not just a personal achievement — it’s a statement about who belongs in America’s democracy,” Hashmi said during her victory speech.

Numbers behind milestone

According to CAIR’s updated report, 76 Muslim candidates ran for public office nationwide, and at least 42 were victorious, with four more races pending recounts or runoffs.

PCAIR and CAIR Action said the numbers may rise as final certifications come in.

PEACE Magazine learned that the Council on American-Islamic Relations and its advocacy affiliate, CAIR Action, have been tracking the performance of Muslim candidates nationwide, confirming 42 wins so far with several results still being verified.

The breakdown of Muslim wins includes:

• Mayors: 5
  • Zohran K. Mamdani (New York City, NY)
  • Abdullah Hammoud (Dearborn, MI)
  • Mo Baydoun (Dearborn Heights, MI)
  • Faizul Kabir (College Park, MD)
  • Ted Green (East Orange, NJ)
• Statewide and Legislative Offices: 4
  • Ghazala Hashmi (Lieutenant Governor, VA)
  • Sam Rasoul (Virginia House of Delegates, District 38)
  • Atoosa R. Reaser (Virginia House of Delegates, District 27)
  • Al Abdelaziz (New Jersey General Assembly, District 35)
• City and Town Councils, Commissioners: 20
  • Including Muslim council members elected in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck, Minneapolis, Paterson, Bellevue, Hilliard, and Bothell.
• Judicial and County Offices: 2
  • Ajmeri Hoque (Franklin County Municipal Court Judge, OH)
  • Soma S. Syed (Justice, NY Supreme Court)
• Education and School Boards: 6
  • Dr. Mohammad Alhawawsha, Alisha Khan, Anisa Liban, Kareem Moffett, Habeebah Haqq, and others in Ohio and New Jersey districts.
• Other Positions: 3
  • Yusef Salaam (New York City Council, District 9)
  • Siddiq Kamara (Sheriff, Delaware County, PA)
  • Hamdi Mohamed (Port of Seattle Commission, WA)

Four races remain too close to call, including the Hamtramck, Michigan, mayoral contest, where two Muslim candidates are facing each other — meaning the city will have a Muslim mayor regardless of the outcome.

Decade of steady progress

The 2025 elections mark the latest phase of a growing wave of Muslim political participation that began roughly a decade ago. In 2010, there were fewer than 20 Muslims holding elected office in the entire country. By 2020, that number had more than tripled.

Now, with 42 confirmed wins this year alone, the Muslim community is no longer on the margins of U.S. politics; it is increasingly part of the mainstream.

Experts say the rise in Muslim representation parallels the demographic and generational changes within the community itself.

Younger, U.S.-born Muslims, many educated in American universities and active in social justice movements, are now leading campaigns that appeal to broader constituencies beyond religion.

Dr. Dalia Mogahed, director of research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, said the trend shows a “maturing political identity.”

“These candidates are not winning because they are Muslim; they are winning because they are qualified, credible, and connected to their communities,” she noted.

“At the same time, their faith and cultural background bring a unique empathy for marginalized voices.”

Overcoming hate campaigns and Islamophobia

CAIR’s report praised Muslim candidates for their resilience in the face of anti-Muslim disinformation and hate campaigns, particularly online.

During the campaign season, several Muslim candidates reported facing smear efforts that falsely linked them to extremism or accused them of being “anti-American.” Some were targeted with deepfake videos or doctored images circulated on social media platforms.

Despite this, voter turnout among Muslim communities was strong, especially in Michigan, New Jersey, and New York — states with large Muslim populations and active grassroots networks.

CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said the victories represent “a triumph of democracy over hate.”

“These wins are not just for Muslim Americans,” he said.

“They are for all Americans who believe in justice, equality, and civic participation. They show that no amount of bigotry can silence those who are committed to public service.”

Awad added that Muslim candidates’ success was particularly meaningful in a political climate where Islamophobia still lingers in both rhetoric and policy.

Many of this year’s Muslim winners are first- or second-generation immigrants who built careers in education, law, social work, or community organizing before entering politics.

For instance, Faizul Kabir, the new mayor of College Park, Maryland, is a software engineer and longtime advocate for urban sustainability. Abdullah Hammoud, reelected in Dearborn, Michigan, is a public health expert who turned his city into a model for affordable housing initiatives.

Others, like Aisha Chughtai and Jamal Osman, both members of the Minneapolis City Council, have become prominent progressive voices on issues ranging from housing reform to police accountability.

Meanwhile, in New York, Yusef Salaam — one of the “Exonerated Five,” wrongfully convicted as a teenager in the Central Park jogger case — continues his transformation from a symbol of injustice to a representative of resilience and redemption.

His win for the New York City Council is widely seen as one of the most powerful comeback stories in American politics.

Analysts say Muslim candidates’ success also reflects their ability to build coalitions that extend far beyond religious communities.

In New Jersey, for instance, Al Abdelaziz’s reelection to the state assembly drew strong support from Latino and African American voters. In Virginia, Hashmi’s campaign mobilized suburban women, teachers, and environmental activists alongside Muslim and South Asian voters.

“Muslim politicians are increasingly running and winning on broad issues — jobs, education, healthcare — not just identity,” said journalist and author Mehdi Hasan. “That’s what makes this movement so durable.”

Sign of America’s evolving democracy

The growing Muslim political footprint is also a reflection of America’s changing demographics. Muslims now make up approximately 1.3% of the U.S. population, or about 4.3 million people, according to the Pew Research Center. They are among the youngest and most ethnically diverse religious groups in the country.

Political scientists say that as these communities grow in size and confidence, they are becoming an integral part of local governance.

“Muslim Americans are no longer outsiders knocking on the door of democracy,” said Dr. Farah Pandith, a former U.S. diplomat. “They are shaping its future — through city councils, schools, and state legislatures.”

CAIR and CAIR Action said they plan to release a 2025–2026 Directory of Elected Muslim Officials in January to track progress and prepare for the next election cycle. The groups also announced new civic education and voter mobilization initiatives ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“Every election cycle, we see more Muslim candidates — not fewer,” said CAIR Action’s executive director, Robert McCaw.

“That’s a clear indication of confidence, growth, and belonging.”

McCaw said CAIR will continue to monitor local election offices for recounts and certification updates in the coming weeks, noting that at least four races remain unresolved but could still add to the total.

While the historic tally of 42 wins carries symbolic weight, Muslim leaders say the real success lies in the normalization of Muslim participation in American public life.

“Just a decade ago, the idea of a Muslim mayor of New York City or a Muslim woman lieutenant governor in Virginia would have seemed unthinkable,” said Imam Omar Suleiman, founder of the Yaqeen Institute.

“Now it’s part of the American story, a story of resilience, representation, and renewal.”

The elections also served as a reminder that representation is not an end in itself but a platform to advocate for the values shared across communities — justice, equality, and compassion.

As Zohran Mamdani told supporters after his victory in New York: “This win is not just mine. It belongs to everyone who believes that this city, and this country, are big enough for all of us.”

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