Nadine Osman
Lateefah Simon made history as the first Muslim in congress from California in the recent US elections. The 47-year-old Democrat and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) board member secured a decisive victory in California’s 12th District. She succeeded Barbara Lee, a longtime Representative who vacated the seat to pursue a Senate bid.
Simon’s election expands Muslim representation in Congress, joining Democrats André Carson, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar, all of whom secured strong mandates. Their victories provided a rare bright spot for Democrats in an otherwise difficult election night, marked by significant losses and a clear presidential defeat. Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, garnered 9 million fewer votes than Joe Biden in 2020, losing key states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. With 72.4 million votes compared to Donald Trump’s 75.6 million, Harris faced a stark electoral college deficit of 312-226. These results have spurred debate over the party’s appeal in crucial regions.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) celebrated Simon’s win as a pivotal moment for American Muslims. “At a time when many in our community feel the weight of rising Islamophobia, her election, alongside Representatives Carson, Tlaib, and Omar, highlights our resilience and commitment to justice,” the organisation stated.
Lateefah Simon, 47 (left), made history as California’s first Muslim congresswoman after winning in the 12th District. A Democrat and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) board member, she is pictured here receiving the Government Official Award in 2018 from presenter Alicia Garza. (Credit: Howard Dyckoff/Flickr Commons)
Simon has built her career as a civil rights advocate, focusing on social justice, criminal justice reform, and racial equality. Raised in San Francisco, she began her activism as a teenager and later led the Centre for Young Women’s Development, supporting young women impacted by the juvenile justice system. Her leadership roles have included serving as Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area and as a program director at the Rosenberg Foundation. In 2005, she earned a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship for her groundbreaking work on justice reform. More recently, as a BART Board Director, she prioritised equitable transportation access.
Meanwhile, Tlaib and Omar celebrated significant re-election victories. Tlaib, the first Palestinian American in Congress, secured 70% of the vote in Michigan’s 13th District for her fourth term. Omar, the first Somali American Congresswoman, won her third term with 75.2% of the vote in Minnesota’s 5th District. Carson, who has represented Indiana’s 7th District since 2008, defeated Republican John Schmitz with 68.2% of the vote.
Omar continues to advocate for Palestinian rights, frequently criticising US military support for Israel. Drawing from her background as a refugee, she champions immigrant rights and social justice. Omar expressed her gratitude, “This is a victory for all of us who believe that a better future is possible. I can’t wait to make you all proud over the next two years.”
Tlaib, another vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, declined to endorse Kamala Harris due to differences over the Biden Administration’s Gaza policies. Both she and Omar maintain strong support from Arab American communities, particularly in Michigan and Minnesota.
Tlaib and Omar are part of “The Squad,” a progressive congressional group that includes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. However, other members, such as Jamaal Bowman of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri, lost their primaries to candidates backed by AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying group. This year, AIPAC invested over $100 million to diminish pro-Palestine voices in Congress.
Top photo: Democrats André Carson, Rashida Tlaib (L), and Ilhan Omar will be joined in Congress by first-time rep Lateefah Simon, all securing strong mandates despite a significant defeat for their party. (Credit: Yasin Öztürk/AA – Inset: Wikimedia CC)
