Midterms see African candidates win historic seats in the United States
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Camer.be
The US midterm elections on 3 November brought several candidates from African diasporas into Congress, including Abdul El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, elected senator for Michigan. Melat Kiros, Adam Hamawy and Adrian Boafo were also among those elected, according to Camer.be, which describes the growing political influence of these diasporas.
Adam Hamawy, an Egyptian-born war surgeon elected in New Jersey's 12th congressional district, is set to become the first Muslim to represent the state in Congress. Aged 56, he has notably operated on wounded people in Gaza, according to Camer.be.
Abdul El-Sayed's victory, as the son of Egyptian immigrants elected senator for Michigan, is also due to take effect in January. He intends to champion universal health insurance and affordable housing and criticises US military aid to Israel, Camer.be reports. Melat Kiros, born in Addis Ababa, won Colorado's 1st congressional district at the age of 29, while Adrian Boafo, the son of Ghanaian immigrants, won in Maryland. The midterm elections were held on 3 November 2026, following several victories by candidates of African origin already reported in historic figures emerge from the midterms and among Nigerian Americans elected.
