The 2026 US midterm elections have marked a significant breakthrough for African immigrants in American politics, with at least 23 first-generation diasporans winning seats in federal and state legislatures across the country.
The victories came amid a sweeping Democratic Party performance that reshaped the political landscape and ushered in a new generation of African-born leaders. According to data compiled by the New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF), a New York-based nonprofit, all but one of the successful candidates ran as Democrats.
The lawmakers represent 10 African countries and will serve in 13 states. Their professional backgrounds span law, business, technology, education, healthcare and community advocacy.
Shana Hardin, director of research and data at New American Leaders and NALAF, described the growing representation of first- and second-generation immigrants as an important development in American democracy.
“There is something powerful about seeing first- and second-generation immigrants of all backgrounds, including those from the African diaspora, elected to office,” Hardin said.
She noted that African immigrants have historically been underrepresented in positions of political power despite their contributions to American communities. The organisation has spent more than a decade training and supporting immigrant leaders seeking public office.
Among the most notable victories are those of Ethiopian-born Melat Kiros of Colorado and Egyptian-born Adam Hamawy of New Jersey, who will join the US House of Representatives. They join Somali-American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who secured another term representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
At 29, Melat Kiros is among the youngest African-born politicians entering Congress. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Tigrayan parents, she moved to the United States after her father was selected through the Diversity Visa Lottery. A lawyer and progressive Democrat, she defeated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District.
Egyptian-born Adam Hamawy, 57, brings a background in medicine and military service to Congress. A plastic surgeon and former US Army physician, he gained international attention in 2024 as part of a team of volunteer doctors trapped in Gaza after Israel closed the border.
His campaign in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District focused largely on opposition to Israel’s influence in American politics. Meanwhile, Ilhan Omar, 44, secured a fifth term representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, she first entered Congress in 2018 and has become a prominent progressive Democrat and outspoken critic of US foreign policy.
Somali Americans dominate state-level representation
Somali Americans recorded the largest gains among African-born groups in state legislatures, with seven lawmakers represented across Minnesota, Ohio and Maine.
In Minnesota, Abdi Daisane, 38, won his first election to represent House District 14A. Born in Somalia, he grew up in Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee Camp and later established a childcare business in the United States.
Other Somali lawmakers in Minnesota include Zaynab Mohamed, 29, who represents Senate District 63, and Mohamud Noor, 47, a computer scientist first elected in 2018. Samakab Hussein, 46, who represents House District 65A, is the first Somali American from St. Paul to serve in the state legislature.
In Ohio, Munira Abdullahi made history in 2022 as the first Muslim woman elected to the state’s legislature. Born in a refugee camp in Kenya after her parents fled Somalia, she represents House District 9.
Fellow Somali-born lawmaker Ismail Mohamed, 32, represents House District 3 in Ohio. An attorney, he operates a legal practice specialising in personal injury, immigration and criminal law.
In Maine, Yusuf M. Yusuf secured re-election to represent House District 118 in Portland. A former school board member and health entrepreneur, he operates a home-care services business supporting older adults and people with disabilities.
Four Nigerian-born politicians win seats
Nigerian Americans also made notable gains, with Gabe Okoye and Segun Adeyina retaining their seats in Georgia, while Junior Ezeonu and Ukeme Awakessien Jeter won their first legislative races in Texas and Ohio.
Okoye, 66, represents Georgia House District 102. A civil engineer and business owner, he previously chaired the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in the Americas and the Gwinnett County Democratic Party.
Adeyina, 56, represents House District 110. A University of Lagos graduate, he built a career in information technology and project management before becoming active in civic and voter education initiatives among Nigerian Americans.
At 27, Ezeonu is among the youngest African-born lawmakers. Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, he made history in 2021 as the youngest person elected to the Grand Prairie City Council in Texas. He now represents House District 101.
Jeter, 45, was born and raised in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 1999. Before winning Ohio House District 7, she served as mayor and council president of Upper Arlington, becoming the first person of colour elected to the suburb’s council in 2021. She is an attorney and engineer.
South Africans and Congolese women make gains
Two South African-born Americans also secured legislative positions. Kevin Abel, 61, was born in Cape Town and moved to the United States in 1979 at the age of 14. A technology entrepreneur, he previously chaired the Georgia Department of Transportation Board and founded transit advocacy organisation Mobility Atlanta. He won a seat in the Georgia Senate.
Mark Edelson, 42, represents Maryland House District 46. His family relocated from South Africa to Georgia in 1999. A Baltimore-based attorney, he has prioritised investment in public transportation. The Democratic Republic of Congo also produced two female lawmakers.
Jackie Elward, 47, won California House District 12 after previously serving on the Rohnert Park City Council. She moved to the United States in 2003 and became the first Black woman elected to the council in 2020. An educator and labour organiser, she received backing from labour unions during her legislative campaign.
Mary Ngwanda Georges, 69, represents New Hampshire House District 23. Born in Fatundu, she made history in 2015 as the first African immigrant elected to municipal office in the state after winning a seat on the Manchester school board. She is a Pentecostal minister and founder of the Congolese Community of New Hampshire.
New representatives from Mauritania and Cameroon
Two other African countries gained representation through first-time legislative victories. Ali Dieng, 44, was born in Mauritania and raised in Senegal before moving to the United States in 2007. A three-term city councillor in Burlington, Vermont, he has worked to connect immigrant families with local schools and improve integration for new Americans. He now represents Vermont House District 18.
Will Mbah, 45, was born in Cameroon and developed an early interest in environmental issues. After studying environmental studies in his home country, he received a scholarship to attend the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. He later moved to the United States, became a citizen in 2015 and joined the Somerville City Council in Massachusetts in 2017. He now represents House District 34.
Liberian and Kenyan incumbents retain their seats
Naquetta Ricks, 59, retained her position in the Colorado House of Representatives, where she has represented District 40 since 2020. She is the first Liberian-American woman to win statewide office in the United States and the first African immigrant to serve in the Colorado legislature.
Ricks fled Liberia’s first civil war with her parents at the age of 13. Before entering politics, she worked as an accountant and operated a mortgage business.
Huldah Hiltsley, 41, also retained her position in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Born in Nyamira County, Kenya, she moved to Minnesota with her family at the age of nine. She made history in 2024 as the first first-generation Kenyan immigrant elected to a state legislature in the United States.
Zimbabwe’s Michael Hornby is the lone Republican
Among the 23 successful African-born candidates, Zimbabwe-born Michael Hornby was the only Republican.
Hornby, 47/48, was born in Chiredzi and is president of Hornby Publishing, a media company based in West Virginia. He first entered the state’s House of Delegates in 2022 and represents District 93.
Despite the electoral gains, the African diaspora also experienced setbacks during an election season marked by racial tensions and concerns about Islamophobia.
In Maine, Deqa Dhalac, the first Somali-American mayor in the United States, decided against seeking a third term in the state House of Representatives, citing persistent racism, harassment and threats directed at her.
Fellow Maine lawmaker Mana Abdi also lost her bid for a seat in the state Senate. Meanwhile, Uganda-born Zohran Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City in 2025 after serving two and a half terms in the New York State Assembly, represents another milestone in the growing political influence of African immigrants.
Beyond the first-generation candidates, dozens of second-generation Africans also secured elected positions across the country. For New American Leaders and its action fund, the latest results reinforce the importance of preparing immigrant communities for political leadership.
Shana Hardin said the organisation remained committed to ensuring that people from immigrant backgrounds have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in American democracy.
Written by Oral Ofori for TheAfricanDream®
