At a Democratic Party victory rally following the US midterm elections, it was an odd welcome.
Born to Egyptian immigrant parents, Abdul El-Sayed, 42, jokingly addressed Vice-President JD Vance, who had opposed him throughout the campaign but will now swear him in as Michigan’s next senator in January.
The Democrat, who was born in the United States, spent a large portion of his campaign defending himself against accusations of backing the Muslim Brotherhood from President Donald Trump and conservative media. El-Sayed denied the accusations.”My name is Abdul Rahman Mohammed El-Sayed,” he declared to the enthusiastic supporters during his victory rally with an Egyptian Arabic accent.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What Happened | African heritage politicians won seats in the US Congress. |
| Where | United States |
| When | November 3, 2026 |
| Key Politicians | Melat Kiros and Adrian Boafo |
| Melat Kiros | 29 year old politician of Ethiopian heritage from Colorado. |
| Adrian Boafo | 32 year old politician of Ghanaian heritage from Maryland. |
| Key Issues | Healthcare, affordable housing, childcare, immigration and living costs. |
| Why It Matters | Highlights the growing visibility of politicians with African roots in US politics. |
El-Sayed used TikTok edits to show him addressing young people directly, appealing to Gen Z humor, and wearing friendship bracelets as part of his social media-first campaign.
Medicare for All, affordable housing, and reducing corporate involvement in politics were among the progressive goals of the former public health administrator’s candidacy. Additionally, he has been an outspoken opponent of US military assistance to Israel.
El-Sayed was not alone himself, though. A number of other African-born politicians, including a Gen Z lawmaker from Ethiopia and candidates with Nigerian ancestry, became victorious in this year’s midterm elections.
Ethiopian Born Gen Z Congresswoman Elected
Melat Kiros was elected to the US Congress at the age of 29, making history as the first female member of Generation Z.
She was born in Ethiopia, came to the United States as a baby, and was raised in Denver. Before upsetting a 15-term incumbent in Colorado’s 1st District in the Democratic primary and winning a landslide on Tuesday, she had never held public office.
Like El-Sayed, Kiros ran on platforms that have grown important to young progressive voters: Medicare for All, universal childcare, and the cost of living.
She has also advocated for the elimination of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a position supported by the Democratic Socialists of America
Kiros' Stance on Israel Sparks Controversy
She has drawn criticism for her vocal opposition to Israel’s conflict in Gaza. According to Kiros, the Israeli government, not Jews, is the target of her criticism.
In 2023, she was dismissed from a prestigious New York law practice after refusing to remove an open letter to hundreds of law firms urging law school deans to take action against antisemitism on campuses when students participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
While denouncing antisemitism, Kiros cautioned legal firms—including the one she worked for—not to confuse “such bigotry with the geo-political question of Israel’s legitimacy.”
Ghanaian American Adrian Boafo Wins Congress
The 5th Congressional District of Maryland will be represented by Adrian Boafo, a second-generation Ghanaian-American, who will take over from veteran Congressman Steny Hoyer, who resigned after more than 40 years in politics.
Born in Virginia, the 32-year-old grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
In a district near Washington, DC, where thousands of government workers reside, his campaign centered on issues such as childcare, living expenses, and federal worker protection.
Boafo stated in his winning speech that it had “never felt more urgent” to serve his people, citing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, rising expenses, and government employment losses.
