The candidates are set to face voters on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, seeking greater political representation as debates over the economy, civil rights and US foreign policy dominate campaigns.
At least 51 Muslim Americans are contesting the November 3, 2026, United States midterm elections across approximately 23 states, in what has emerged as a significant showing of Muslim participation in the country’s electoral politics.
The candidates are seeking seats in the US Senate, House of Representatives, state legislatures, county administrations and other local offices, according to an analysis by Muslim Network TV (MNTV).
The election, which is being held halfway through President Donald Trump’s four-year term, will determine the composition of the 435-member House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats and several state and local government positions.
MNTV said it identified the candidates by reviewing election listings and cross-checking them against voter guides from Muslim civic organisations, officeholder records and media reports. It described the 51 as a confirmed minimum rather than a comprehensive national count.
Candidates seek seats in Congress
Of the 51 candidates identified, 11 are contesting federal legislative positions, comprising one Senate candidate and 10 candidates for the House of Representatives.
The most closely watched race is in Michigan, where Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed is challenging Republican Mike Rogers for a seat in the US Senate.
A physician and former Detroit health director, El-Sayed could become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate if he wins the contest.
His campaign has drawn national attention, with his positions on healthcare, the economy and US foreign policy featuring prominently in the race.
He has also faced attacks targeting his Muslim faith, drawing criticism from political figures and supporters who argue that religious identity should not be used to question a candidate’s eligibility for public office.
Other Muslim candidates seeking seats in the House of Representatives include incumbent lawmakers Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and André Carson of Indiana.
The list also includes Lateefah Simon and Aisha Wahab of California, Adam Hamawy of New Jersey, Darializa Avila Chevalier of New York, Republican candidate Zuhdi Jasser of Arizona, and independent candidates Ahsen Mujeeb Malik and Alaha Ahrar of Virginia.
Democrats dominate candidate list
The MNTV analysis showed that most of the identified candidates are running under the Democratic Party.
Of the 51 candidates, 40 are Democrats, four are Republicans, four are contesting nonpartisan races, two are independents and one is running under the Green Party.
Beyond Congress, 34 candidates are seeking seats in state legislatures, while others are contesting county, local and judicial positions. One candidate, Shehla Faizi, is running for Texas comptroller under the Green Party.
The candidates are spread across approximately 23 states, with Minnesota, Michigan and Texas among the states with the highest numbers.
The distribution reflects participation across different political affiliations and levels of government rather than a single unified Muslim political platform.
Gaza, economy and civil rights feature in campaigns
The campaigns are taking place amid intense national debates over the wars in Gaza and Iran, immigration, civil rights, religious discrimination and the cost of living.
US policy towards Israel and the conflict in Gaza has become a significant issue for some Muslim and Arab American voters, with activists calling for changes to Washington’s military and diplomatic support for Israel.
However, domestic economic concerns also feature prominently in the election discussions.
A survey of 413 likely Muslim and Arab American voters in Michigan, conducted by Change Research for the New Arc Collective between October 16 and 23, found that 51 per cent identified affordability and the economy as their leading concern, while 45 per cent cited the Israel-Palestine conflict, according to a report by Dawn.
The findings highlight the range of issues influencing voters, although Muslim and Arab Americans do not constitute a politically uniform group and their priorities vary across communities and constituencies.
Muslim candidates face religious and political scrutiny
The growing presence of Muslim candidates has also coincided with renewed scrutiny of their religious identity and political positions.
In Michigan, El-Sayed has faced attacks from prominent political figures, including President Trump, who used the term “jihadist” to describe him during the campaign.
The controversy has drawn attention to concerns about anti-Muslim rhetoric and the treatment of candidates whose faith becomes a subject of political attacks.
A discussion organised by Michigan State University’s Muslim Studies Program also examined the challenges facing Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African candidates in the 2026 elections.
Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan, Nazita Lajevardi, described the November 3 election as a test of whether Muslim candidates could win without having their faith put on trial, according to The State News.
The discussion highlighted the difficult political environment confronting some candidates, even as their participation expands across federal, state and local elections.
A growing presence in American politics
The 2026 candidate list reflects the increasing visibility of Muslim Americans in the country’s political institutions, from Congress to local government.
According to MNTV, the number of Muslim candidates could be higher than the 51 it confirmed, as its review identified additional potential candidates whose religious identities could not be independently established.
The election therefore offers an opportunity to assess the extent of Muslim political representation and participation across the United States, while the results will determine whether some of the candidates make history in their respective constituencies.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Discover more from Muslim News Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.