‘Mamdani Effect’ Spurs Wave Of Muslim Candidates Running For Office

Zohran Mamdani’s surprise victory as New York City mayor has galvanized a new wave of Muslim American candidates to run for public office, organizers and activists say. Campaign filings and announcements in Michigan and North Carolina this week point to growing ambition among Muslim leaders and progressive allies — and to a broader debate over representation, foreign policy and political strategy.

New Bids, New Energy

Last week an Arab- and Muslim-American co-founder of the “Uncommitted” movement — which encouraged Democrats to cast protest votes in 2024 over the Israel-Hamas war — launched a campaign for state office in Michigan. This week, Nida Allam, the first Muslim woman elected to office in North Carolina, filed to run for Congress. Abdul El-Sayed, who is campaigning for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, remains one of the highest-profile Muslim candidates expected in next year’s contests.

The So-Called “Mamdani Effect”

All three bids follow Mamdani’s November win, when the democratic socialist became New York City’s first Muslim mayor. That night Virginia also elected Ghazala Hashmi to statewide office, making her the first Muslim woman to win statewide office there.

“We have the Mamdani effect, which now is exciting a lot more folks to think about running for office,” said Basim Elkara, executive director of CAIR Action, the advocacy arm of the Center for American Islamic Relations. “Here’s someone who is unapologetic about his identity and who’s also become one of the most popular elected officials in the country.”

Voter Turnout, Protest Votes And Political Impact

CAIR and CAIR Action tracked 76 Muslim candidates across recent contests; more than three dozen of those candidates won in last month’s off-year elections. The groups reported that 97 percent of Muslim voters in New York City supported Mamdani, and 95 percent of Muslim voters in Virginia backed Hashmi. Run for Something also reported a surge of young progressives exploring runs after Mamdani’s victory.

Activists say protest votes over the Gaza conflict helped shape close 2024 outcomes. The “Uncommitted” movement — led by Arab and Muslim Americans opposed to U.S. support for Israel’s campaign in Gaza — helped drive more than 13 percent of Michigan primary voters to cast protest ballots last year. That shifting vote dynamic was cited as one factor in President Trump narrowly carrying Michigan.

Profiles In The Race

Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director and 2018 gubernatorial primary contender, is running for the U.S. Senate and has secured endorsements from progressive leaders including Sen. Bernie Sanders. Abbas Alawieh, a co-founder of the Uncommitted movement and former staffer for progressive members of Congress, is running for the Michigan State Senate to represent Dearborn and Dearborn Heights.

Nida Allam, who made history in 2020 as North Carolina’s first Muslim woman elected to office, launched a primary challenge this week against Rep. Valerie Foushee. Organizers say these candidacies reflect both growing political ambition and a belief that identity need not be a liability at the ballot box.

Threats, Stereotypes And Political Pushback

Prospective Muslim candidates are stepping forward even as they confront threats, stereotyping and formal political attacks. Mamdani faced derogatory attacks about his religion during his campaign, and Alawieh says he’s already received hateful comments since launching his bid. In recent weeks the governors of Florida and Texas designated CAIR a terrorist organization; CAIR called the move political theater and has said it intends to sue.

“There’s a permission structure to denigrate and insult Muslims for their religious identity or immigrant background,” said Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage. “It’s not going to disappear, but we hope it becomes a losing political formula.”

Outlook

Organizers and candidates say Mamdani’s win has energized Muslim and progressive networks nationwide, boosting recruitment, fundraising and interest among young activists. Still, they warn that overcoming entrenched bias and targeted attacks will remain a central challenge as more Muslim Americans seek elected office.