U.S. voters are heading to the polls today to elect a new House of Representatives, which has 435 seats distributed among the 50 states based on population.
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Voters will also elect 35 members of the U.S. Senate, whose members serve six-year terms. Senate elections are held every two years, covering one-third of the 100-member chamber, with two senators representing each state. In addition, several state governors, judges and numerous state and local positions will be elected.
Among Arab American candidates, several incumbents are seeking re-election, including Representative Ibrahim Hamadeh, a Republican from Arizona’s 8th Congressional District; Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota’s 5th District; Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan’s 12th District; and Representative Darin LaHood, a Republican from Illinois’ 16th District.
Representative Darrell Issa, a Republican representing California’s 48th Congressional District, has decided not to seek re-election this year.
Several candidates are also running for the first time. They include Democrat Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, who is seeking a U.S. Senate seat from Michigan; Democratic House candidate Adam Hamawy, running in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District; and Zuhdi Jasser, a Republican candidate running for the first time in Arizona’s 4th Congressional District.
There are also several Muslim candidates for the House of Representatives who are not Arab, including incumbent Representative Lateefah Simon of California’s 12th District, incumbent Representative Aisha Wahab of California’s 4th District, and incumbent Representative Andre Carson of Indiana’s 7th District.
According to the Arab American Institute, based in Washington, D.C., fewer than four million Arab Americans hold U.S. citizenship. Most historically belonged to the Republican Party, but their political preferences have gradually shifted toward the Democratic Party.
A recent poll published by the institute found that 59% of Arab American voters plan to vote for the Democratic candidate in their congressional district, compared with 26% who plan to vote for the Republican candidate.
Source: Petra
