Seven candidates of African origin are seeking seats in the United States Congress as Americans head to the polls today for midterm elections, highlighting the growing political influence of the African diaspora despite rising anti-immigrant sentiment.
The election is expected to be the most expensive midterm cycle in US history, with political advertising spending projected to exceed $11 billion, according to advertising analysis firm AdImpact.
The contests are also unfolding amid intense political competition, congressional redistricting battles and historically low approval ratings for President Donald Trump. Dozens of lawmakers are leaving Capitol Hill through resignations, retirements or bids for other political offices, creating opportunities for new entrants.
A report by Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics noted that beyond control of Congress, the elections could break several representation barriers, with a record 26 women contesting gubernatorial positions across the country.
Among those seeking to make history are seven candidates with roots in Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia and Somalia, contesting congressional seats at a time when immigrant communities face heightened political hostility and tougher immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Three are making their first bids for Congress, while three African-origin lawmakers currently serving in the House of Representatives are seeking re-election.
According to The Africa Report, the seven candidates are Egyptian-American Abdul El-Sayed, Ethiopian-born Melat Kiros, Ghanaian-American Adrian Boafo, Somali-American Ilhan Omar, Eritrean-American Joe Neguse, Ghanaian-Liberian Gabe Amo and Nigerian-American Ndidiamaka Okpareke.
Their candidacies reflect the expanding political participation of first- and second-generation immigrants, even as anti-immigrant rhetoric and state-level policy restrictions intensify.
The New American Leaders Action Fund, a New York-based organisation promoting immigrant representation in government, said immigrants were making continued progress at state and federal levels despite the increasingly hostile political climate.
The organisation noted that rising numbers of immigrant-origin legislators were emerging alongside increased anti-immigrant legislation and more aggressive enforcement targeting immigrant communities.
Three newcomers seek congressional breakthrough
Among the first-time candidates, El-Sayed, 41, is contesting one of Michigan’s two Senate seats. Born to Egyptian immigrant parents, the public health academic could become the first Muslim member of the US Senate if elected.
A former director of the Detroit Health Department, El-Sayed has campaigned on progressive policies, including universal healthcare and the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. His religion and criticism of Israel have also become contentious issues in the race.
In Colorado, 29-year-old Melat Kiros is seeking to represent Denver in the House of Representatives. Born in Addis Ababa to Tigrayan parents, she defeated 15-term Democratic incumbent Diana DeGette in the party’s June primary.
Kiros rose to prominence after being fired by law firm Sidley Austin for refusing to withdraw a letter criticising law firms that opposed pro-Palestinian protests. She has campaigned against entrenched political interests and money in politics.
Adrian Boafo, 32, is contesting a Maryland congressional seat being vacated by former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
His parents emigrated from Ghana to the United States in the 1980s. Before entering the race, Boafo served on the Bowie City Council and in the Maryland House of Delegates. He also previously worked as Hoyer’s campaign manager.
Three incumbents seek re-election
Three African-origin lawmakers currently serving in the US House are also seeking to retain their seats.
Ilhan Omar, 44, became the first Somali-American elected to Congress in 2018. Born in Mogadishu, she spent part of her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp after her family fled Somalia following the fall of the Siad Barre government.
Her re-election campaign comes amid renewed political attacks from Trump, who has used racially charged language against Somali-American communities in her Minnesota district.
Joe Neguse, 42, also entered Congress in 2018, becoming the first Eritrean-American elected to the chamber and the first Black congressman from Colorado.
He has since risen through the Democratic Party’s leadership ranks to become assistant House Democratic leader and serves on the House Natural Resources Committee.
Gabe Amo, 38, joined Congress in 2023, becoming the first Black person elected to the House from Rhode Island. Born to a Ghanaian father and Liberian mother, he previously worked in the administrations of former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Nigeria’s candidate breaks party mould
Nigeria is also represented in the contest through Nigerian-American Ndidiamaka Okpareke, who is running as a Republican in central New Mexico.
The 43-year-old pharmacist and business owner is challenging Democratic incumbent Melanie Stansbury. Her parents left Nigeria after surviving the 1967–1970 civil war.
Okpareke has said she wants to serve on congressional committees dealing with healthcare and foreign affairs, with a particular focus on reducing costs.
Her Republican candidacy stands out in a field where African-American and immigrant-origin candidates have more commonly aligned with the Democratic Party.
A Jamaican-American incumbent, Yvette Clarke, is also seeking re-election, bringing the total number of African and Caribbean diaspora candidates highlighted by The Africa Report to eight.
Clarke, who represents Brooklyn, New York, was first elected to Congress in 2006. Her parents were Jamaican immigrants, and she currently chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.
The growing presence of African-origin lawmakers and candidates in US politics could have implications beyond representation, particularly for debates on immigration, foreign policy, trade and Washington’s relationship with African countries.
As the diaspora seeks to consolidate its presence in Congress, the elections will offer another measure of its growing political influence in the United States.
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Bunmi holds a degree in Economics from the University of Lagos and has over eight years of experience in content writing and journalism.
Her career spans roles as a financial and business journalist at BusinessDay Media and TechCabal, and as Head of Research at SBM Intelligence, an Africa-focused market intelligence and strategic consulting firm.
She also served as Editor at Finance in Africa, a subsidiary of Businessfront and is currently Assistant Editor, Finance (Africa), at BusinessDay.
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