The politicians with African roots making history in the US midterms

Key Points:

• Abdul El-Sayed, born to Egyptian immigrant parents, won a Michigan Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim senator and running on a progressive platform including Medicare for All and affordable housing.
• Melat Kiros, Ethiopian-born and 29 years old, became the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress, campaigning on issues like universal childcare and criticizing US military aid to Israel.
• Adrian Boafo, a 32-year-old Ghanaian-American, succeeded veteran Congressman Steny Hoyer in Maryland, focusing on cost of living, childcare, and protecting federal workers.
• Somali-born Ilhan Omar won a fifth term in Congress despite a federal investigation into her immigration paperwork; she is one of the first Muslim women in Congress and has faced repeated criticism from former President Trump.
• Several other young politicians of African descent, including those with Nigerian heritage, made significant gains in state and local offices, inspiring Africans abroad about the potential of a new generation of voters.