US midterm elections 2026: Record number of hijabis elected to statewide and national offices
US midterm elections 2026: Record number of hijabis elected to statewide and national offices Tuesday's midterm elections saw a remarkable wave of firsts that may have been unthinkable if US President Donald Trump had not spurred such backlash across the country. Among them were victories for four state senators-elect and one US congresswoman who all wear the hijab - a record for the country, and…
The US midterm elections of 2026 witnessed a historic surge of firsts, many of which involved women wearing the hijab. This marked a significant milestone for Muslim Americans, who have long faced anti-Islam rhetoric and threats since Donald Trump's presidency began in January 2025. Four state senators and one US congresswoman have made history by winning their respective elections, all while donning the hijab.
This victory is particularly noteworthy given the hostile environment these women have faced, with their appearances frequently caricatured and insulted by mainstream media, Republicans, and online trolls. The Muslim Public Affairs Council (Mpac) had previously raised concerns about the growing influence of far-right, anti-Muslim provocateurs in the US, as their actions often led to calls for increased law enforcement and could have deterred Muslim Americans from voting.
Despite these challenges, several young, visibly Muslim women have risen to elected office, taking control of their own destinies and breaking barriers in the process.
Written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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