CAIR to release 2026 Directory of Elected Muslim Officials

 On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and CAIR Action will release the 2026 Directory of Elected Muslim Officials, providing a national snapshot of American Muslim representation in elected office and the judiciary across the United States. The 2026 directory identifies 228 American Muslim elected officials serving across 26 states, highlighting the growing role Muslim Americans play in public service at the local and state levels.

 

SEE KEY STATISTICS.

 

Among the directory's key findings:

 

228 American Muslim elected officials and judges are serving across 26 states.

 

43 percent — 98 officials — are women, while 57 percent — 130 officials — are men.

 

The directory includes 44 state officials, 4 US Congress members, 11 mayors and 87 city council members, 58 school board members, 17 elected judges and 7 officials serving in other offices. 

 

At the state legislative level, Muslim representation includes 30 state representatives and 14 state senators.

 

At the Federal level, there are currently 4 members of the US House of Representatives. 

 

New Jersey leads the nation with 46 Muslim officials, followed by Michigan with 38 and California with 20.

 

24 states have no identified Muslim representation yet in the directory.

 

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

 

“Anti-Muslim extremists are attempting to tell American Muslims that we do not belong in the halls of power, these 228 public servants are proving otherwise every single day. Muslim Americans are not standing on the sidelines. We are serving our neighbors, strengthening our communities, and helping shape the future of our nation. We will not allow hate, intimidation, or political attacks to silence our voices or diminish our rightful place in American civic life.”

 

CAIR Action Executive Director Basim Elkarra said:

 

“This directory represents the growing political power and civic engagement of Muslim communities across America. Every Muslim serving on a school board, city council, state legislature, or in another public office opens the door wider for the next generation of Muslim leaders. But our work is far from finished. With 24 states still without Muslim representation identified in this directory, we must continue building political power from the ground up — registering voters, organizing our communities, holding elected officials accountable and encouraging more American Muslims to run for office. Our community deserves a voice at every table where decisions about our future are made.”

 

The directory is designed to serve as a resource for Muslim communities, journalists, researchers, civic organizations, policymakers, and others seeking to better understand the growing presence and impact of Muslim Americans in public service.