Six politicians of Nigerian descent have secured elective positions in the 2026 United States midterm elections, recording victories across Maryland, Texas, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
The victories highlight the growing participation of Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans in American politics, with the successful candidates winning positions in county administration, state legislatures and local government.
The six politicians are Will Jawando, Junior Ezeonu, Oye Owolewa, Carol Kazeem, Gabe Okoye and Segun Adeyina. They contested under the Democratic Party and secured victories in different electoral contests held on November 3.
In Maryland, Will Jawando won the election for Montgomery County executive, defeating Republican candidate Esther Wells. Jawando, whose father is Nigerian and mother is American, previously served on the Montgomery County Council. His election places him at the head of one of Maryland’s most populous counties.
In Texas, 27-year-old Junior Ezeonu secured a seat in the state’s House of Representatives for District 101. Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Ezeonu moved to the United States with his family at the age of two. He previously served on the Grand Prairie City Council and became its youngest mayor pro tempore.
In Washington, DC, Oye Owolewa won a seat on the District of Columbia Council, representing the entire district. The pharmacist, whose parents are from Kwara and Osun states, secured 69 per cent of the vote against independent candidate Elissa Silverman, according to reported election results. He previously served as the District’s shadow representative to the United States Congress.
Carol Kazeem retained her seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing District 159. She defeated Republican challenger Michael Bannon, continuing her representation of the district after first winning election in 2022.
In Georgia, Gabe Okoye retained his seat in the State House of Representatives for District 102, while Segun Adeyina won re-election to represent District 110. Both politicians have been involved in state-level legislative activities, with Adeyina also known for his work in Nigerian-American civic and voter engagement.
Their wins came amid a major political shift in the United States, as Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress, causing a setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
Voters were influenced by concerns over the economy, rising living costs and the administration’s handling of the war in Iran, among other issues. The shift in congressional control could also make it harder for the Trump administration to push its policies through Congress.
Although the six politicians won offices at state and local levels rather than seats in the US Congress, their victories add to the presence of people of Nigerian origin in American public service.
Their success also reflects the growing visibility of Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans in political participation beyond the country, as members of the diaspora take on roles in the communities where they live.
