US midterms: Muslim, gay candidates win historic Senate seats

A Muslim politician and an openly gay lawmaker have made history in the United States after winning Senate seats in Tuesday’s midterm elections, which also produced landmark victories for other minority groups.

Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim elected to the US Senate after winning in Michigan, while Democratic Representative Chris Pappas emerged as the first openly gay man elected to the upper legislative chamber following his victory in New Hampshire.

Their victories were among several historic breakthroughs in an election that saw Democrats make significant gains and voters deliver a strong rebuke to President Donald Trump’s second-term administration.

El-Sayed, a former medical administrator, attracted large crowds during his campaign but faced a wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric from opponents during the fiercely contested race.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations praised his victory, saying he had persevered despite “endless Islamophobic attacks”.

The organisation said, “Our communities worked hard to make sure our voices were heard and that we are properly represented in the Senate.

“This is what is possible when we show up and vote together.”

In New Hampshire, Pappas, who has represented the state in the US House of Representatives since 2019, became the first openly gay man to win election to the Senate.

In a statement on his website, he said, “No one should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love.”

The elections also produced a historic breakthrough for Black women, with Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a US state.

The former Atlanta mayor defeated billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson in Georgia, returning the governorship to Democrats after more than two decades of Republican control.

Another landmark victory came in New Mexico, where Democrat Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor after defeating Republican Gregg Hull.

Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, previously served as interior secretary under former President Joe Biden, becoming the first Native American to hold a US cabinet position.

Minnesota also elected Democrat Peggy Flanagan as the first female Native American senator.

In Texas, Gina Hinojosa became the first Latina woman elected governor following her defeat of incumbent Republican Greg Abbott.
The victories were celebrated by advocates for minority representation, who described the election results as a rejection of discrimination and political division.

Bill Shiebler, chief strategy officer at non-profit organisation State Voices, said the outcome represented “a huge rebuke against hate and division”.

“We're witnessing an electorate that increasingly sees itself in its leaders, and the leaders who come out of communities they now represent,” he told AFP.

Shiebler described the election as a moment when Americans chose hope and representation over attempts to silence minority communities.

“This was a historic election where people decided to believe in themselves and really lean into the hope about the promise of this country, rebuking an effort to snuff out people's voices,” he said.

The leadership breakthroughs could extend further when the new Congress convenes in January, with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries expected to become the first Black speaker of the US House of Representatives if elected to the position.