US Midterms: From Addis Ababa to Congress, children of the African diaspora elected on November 3

Candidates from African families won seats in Congress and local assemblies during the US midterm elections on November 3, 2026, reports Africa Briefing magazine. The victories involve individuals of Egyptian, Ethiopian, Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Somali descent.

In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, the US-born son of Egyptian immigrants, won the Senate seat left vacant by the retirement of Democrat Gary Peters, defeating Republican Mike Rogers. Africa Briefing introduces him as the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. A physician by training, he campaigned on universal health coverage.

A 29-year-old Ethiopian in Colorado

In Colorado, 29-year-old Melat Kiros, born in Addis Ababa to Tigrayan parents and who arrived in Denver as a baby, won the state's first district. Her journey began with the Democratic primary on June 30, 2026, where she garnered 53.2% of the vote against Diana DeGette, who had been in office continuously since 1997, according to Africa Briefing. Face2Face Africa describes her as the first Black woman set to represent Colorado in Congress, noting that her election remained at the projection stage.

In Maryland, 32-year-old Adrian Boafo, whose parents left Ghana in the 1980s, succeeds Democrat Steny Hoyer in the fifth district. Unofficial results published by the state election commission credit him with 68.48% of the vote, compared to 30.85% for Republican Chris Chaffee.

Ilhan Omar re-elected, a 27-year-old Nigerian in Texas

In Minnesota, Ilhan Omar, born in Mogadishu and having spent time in a refugee camp in Kenya, was re-elected for a fifth term in the fifth district. She is also the subject of a federal investigation into immigration documents; she denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crime.

In Texas, 27-year-old Junior Ezeonu, born in Nigeria and a former youngest member of the Grand Prairie City Council, won seat 101 in the state House of Representatives, where he ran unopposed. Africa Briefing also cites, among the elected officials of Nigerian descent, Carol Kazeem, re-elected to the Pennsylvania House, Will Jawando, elected Montgomery County Executive in Maryland, and Oye Owolewa, elected to the Washington Council.

These paths tell a simple story: families who left Africa are not just sending money back home; they are now influencing the creation of laws in the country where they live. It remains to be seen what these elected officials will do, once in office, regarding issues that directly affect the continent—visas, customs duties, and development aid.

The elections were held on November 3, 2026, and several results were still presented as provisional or unofficial by the sources consulted as of November 4.