26 Muslims won in state and local elections races across the US, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced. Elections were held, in large part, on November 5.

81 Muslim candidates ran for elections held in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi, regularly scheduled state legislative elections in Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, and New Jersey, and special elections for seats in various state legislatures. Numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and a variety of other local elections also occurred.

The November tally takes the total number of Muslim candidates elected this year to 34. Since 2016, more than 300 Muslim candidates, including more than 100 women, have run for elected office nationwide. Among the big November winners were Democrats Ghazala Hashmi and Abrar Omeish who became the first Muslim women elected in their respective posts. Hashmi unseated Virginia State Republican Senator Glen Sturtevant.

The second-largest city in Maine, has elected a Somali American to its city council following a campaign that was marred by racists attacks and threats fuelled by social media…Nadia Mohamad, also 23, became the first Muslim woman and first Somali elected to the city council in St. Louis Park, Minn.

“We congratulate these Muslim trailblazers who are creating a more inclusive democracy for everyone.”

Throughout 2019, CAIR, Jetpac and MPower Change have identified at least 34 Muslim candidates who won elections in local and state-wide races across the country. More than 80 Muslims ran for office this year at the local and state level.

Source: The Muslim News