At least 7 Muslims win election to Congress, a record

A record seven Muslims were elected to Congress, six to the House of Representatives and one to the Senate.

Early Wednesday (Nov. 4), Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Michigan Democrat, made history as the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. The son of Egyptian immigrants and a former public health official, the 42-year-old was repeatedly scrutinized and attacked for his faith. President Donald Trump labeled him a “jihadist” and claimed, without evidence, that El-Sayed was on the side of Muslim terrorist groups.

“Islamophobia backfired,” said Fatima Salman, a close childhood friend of El-Sayed who fundraised and campaigned for him. “Today is a day of joy, of celebration, and we need that moment because we have been under so much pressure for so long.”

Religion & Politics

Photos of the Week: US midterms, preparing for the pope’s trip

Supporters cheer in celebration of election results announced at a watch party for the Rev. Adam Hamilton on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Hamilton, who pastors a United Methodist megachurch, challenged Republican incumbent Roger Marshall for the U.S. Senate seat. (RNS photo/Kit Doyle)

In Opinion

And finally, After Texas midterm victory, Rev. Frederick Haynes eager to serve with fellow ordained congressmen.

The Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III got a taste of what it would be like to be both a pastor and a politician when he learned on Tuesday (Nov. 3) that he had won a Texas congressional seat while he was working at his predominantly Black megachurch in Dallas.

Haynes is aligned with two historically Black denominations — the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., the one in which he grew up, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention, where he is cochair of the social justice commission.

After being encouraged to run by his 12,000-member Friendship-West Baptist Church congregation, Haynes conducted a race calling for economic relief, including lower healthcare costs for the people he would represent if he made it to Congress.

He also agreed with Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, declaring, “We’re going to have to get money out of politics so we can get money back in the pockets of the people.”

Haynes, 65, spoke with Religion News Service on Wednesday (Nov. 4) about his congressional plans, how he looks forward to serving with other members known for their faith, and who he considers the heroes of voter turnout in the midterms.

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