- Meriam Sabih defeats Republican’s Milou Mackenzie.
- Maryam Khan wins Connecticut’s State Senate District 2.
- Hanadi Nadeem wins Nevada Assembly re-election.
Pakistani-Americans have secured a series of victories in US state legislative elections, winning seats across five states and strengthening their representation in American politics.
Democratic candidates recorded victories in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Connecticut, Texas and Georgia. Meriam Sabih and Hanadi Nadeem were among the notable winners, while several Pakistani-origin lawmakers retained their seats. In Florida, however, Republican candidate Imtiaz Mohammad lost his race for the state legislature.
In Pennsylvania, Democrat Meriam Sabih defeated Republican incumbent Milou Mackenzie in the State House District 131 race. According to preliminary election figures, Sabih received 16,374 votes, or 51.1%, against Mackenzie’s 15,650 votes, or 48.9%. The result was called with 97% of expected votes counted.
In Nevada, Democratic incumbent Hanadi Nadeem won re-election in Assembly District 34, securing 12,977 votes, or 62.6%. Her Republican challenger, Brandon Davis, received 7,753 votes, or 37.4%. Nadeem, a Pakistani-origin lawmaker born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and raised in Islamabad, represents a district that includes part of Las Vegas.
Connecticut also saw victories for two Pakistani-origin Democrats. Maryam Khan won State Senate District 2 with 12,855 votes, or 78.9%, against Republican Tim Knotts, who received 3,448 votes. In District 3, incumbent Democrat Saud Anwar retained his seat with 20,543 votes, or 66.5%, defeating Republican challenger Eliott Hughes, who secured 10,350 votes.
In Texas, incumbent Democratic state representatives Suleman Lalani and Salman Bhojani won re-election in House Districts 76 and 92 respectively. Lalani received 44,221 votes, or 66.2%, compared with 22,602 votes for Republican challenger Linda Howell. Bhojani secured 30,501 votes, or 66.9%, defeating Republican JP Woodruff, who received 15,064 votes.
In Georgia, Democrat Farooq Mughal won House District 105, defeating Republican incumbent Sandy Donatucci. Mughal received 15,248 votes, or 60.8%, while Donatucci secured 9,851 votes, or 39.2%. All 10 precincts in the district had reported their results.
In Florida, Republican candidate Imtiaz Mohammad lost the State House District 103 contest to Democratic incumbent Robin Bartleman. Bartleman secured 47,287 votes, or 69.3 %, while Mohammad received 20,917 votes, or 30.7%.
In Pennsylvania’s State House District 194, incumbent Democrat Tarik Khan was also declared the winner.
The results were based on preliminary election figures and remained subject to formal certification by the respective state authorities.
