// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
The young politicians with African roots making history in the US midterms
Watch: Abdul El-Sayed thanks supporters for backing 'unlikeliest of candidates'
It was an unlikely greeting to hear at a Democratic Party victory rally after the US midterm elections.
Abdul El-Sayed, 42, born to Egyptian immigrant parents, playfully addressed Vice-President JD Vance, who had campaigned against him but will now swear him into office in January as Michigan's new Senator.
The US-born Democrat spent much of his campaign fending off attacks from conservative media and President Donald Trump, who accused him of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed rejected the allegations.
"My name is Abdul Rahman Mohammed El-Sayed," he said in an Egyptian Arabic accent to the cheering crowd at his victory rally. His Arabic Muslim name was a target for many of his opponents. He is set to become the first Muslim senator.
El-Sayed ran a social media-first campaign, with TikTok edits showing him speaking directly to young voters, tapping into Gen Z humour, and sporting friendship bracelets.
The former public health administrator's campaign centred on a progressive agenda, including Medicare for All, affordable housing and curbing corporate influence in politics. He has also been a vocal critic of US military aid to Israel.
But El-Sayed was not alone. From an Ethiopian-born Gen Z congresswoman to candidates with Nigerian heritage, several other politicians with African roots won in this year's midterms.
The elections, held halfway through a president's four-year term, decide who represents Americans in Congress, as well as in thousands of state and local offices.
Born in Addis Ababa, Melat Kiros' family moved to Denver when she was a baby