# Muslims Break Barriers in 2026 Elections

> Muslim Americans elected to office despite Islamophobia.
- Title: Muslims Break Barriers in 2026 Elections · The Conversation
- Summary: Muslim Americans elected to office despite Islamophobia. Abdul El-Sayed and 97 other Muslims won federal races in 2026 despite intense Islamophobia.
- Keywords: muslim americans, 2026 us midterms, islamophobia, senate leadership fund, gaza, muslim representation, political scientists, council members, hijab, senate, The Conversation
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/despite-intense-islamophobia-abdul-el-sayed-and-dozens-of-other-muslims-elected-representatives-are-breaking-down-barriers-296035
- Author: Kåre Vernby
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: muslim americans, 2026 us midterms, islamophobia, senate leadership fund, gaza, muslim representation, political scientists, council members, hijab, senate, science, ideas
## El-Sayed elected first Muslim senator
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim U.S. senator elected by Michigan voters on Nov. 3, 2026.
## Record outside spending to defeat El-Sayed
Pro-Israel group AIPAC and corporate interests spent nearly US$70 million in the August 2026 Democratic primary to defeat him.
## El-Sayed's Gaza stance
El-Sayed called for ending U.S. arms sales to Israel and opposed 'blank-check military aid' to foreign countries.

> blank-check military aid
## Islamophobic attacks on El-Sayed
President Trump called him a 'jihadist' and a 'Muslim Brotherhood guy', while VP Vance accused him of supporting Sharia law.
## Online Islamophobia surged
Anti-Muslim posts targeting El-Sayed online increased twentyfold in the week after his primary win.
## 97 Muslims elected in 2026
At least 97 American Muslims won federal, state and local races in the 2026 midterms, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
## Minority empowerment thesis
Political scientists found that when minority group members are elected, others in the group feel more connected to politics and trust government.
## Muslims avoid public spaces
Muslim Americans who faced discrimination reported avoiding restaurants, shopping malls and parks after 2016 Trump campaign remarks.
## Stigma consciousness survey
Muslims in southeast Michigan who expected discrimination were less likely to identify as American, especially women wearing hijab.
## Representation study results
People who saw Muslim council members rated the government as fairer and more legitimate, with Muslims more likely to engage politically.
## Representation not zero-sum
Seeing Muslim leaders increased political engagement among Muslims and non-Muslims without alienating either group.
## Key takeaway

Abdul El-Sayed and 97 other Muslims won federal races in 2026 despite intense Islamophobia.