U.S. Muslim candidates running in record numbers
There have been nearly 90 contenders in national, state, or local races—including several who could be the first Muslim woman in Congress.
Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, left, greets residents of an apartment complex while campaigning for Congress on June 18 in Springfield, Massachusetts. AP Photo/Charles Krupa.
When Tahirah Amatul-Wadud heard about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s upset over Rep. Joe Crowley in New York’s Democratic primary, the first-time candidate saw parallels with her own long-shot campaign for Congress in western Massachusetts.
The 44-year-old Muslim civil rights lawyer is the lone challenger taking on Rep. Richard Neal, a 30-year congressman and ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, in the state’s Democratic primary September 4. Encouragement, volunteers, and donations have been pouring in.
“We could barely stay on top of the residual love,” Amatul-Wadud said. “It sent a message to all of our volunteers, voters, and supporters that winning is very possible.”
