04.11.2026 11:11
In the midterm elections held in the US, Palestinian-origin Democratic politician Rashida Tlaib defeated her Republican rival James Hooper in Michigan and was elected to the House of Representatives for the fifth time. Tlaib, known for her harsh stance against Israel's attacks in Gaza and her support for Palestine, thus retained her seat in Congress.
In the midterm elections held in the US on November 3, Palestinian-origin Democratic politician Rashida Tlaib was re-elected in Michigan's 12th Congressional District. According to the Associated Press (AP) results projection, Tlaib defeated Republican James Hooper and retained her seat in the House of Representatives. Thus, Tlaib, who has served in Congress since 2018, earned the right to enter her fifth term.
SHE LEFT HER RIVALS BEHIND
According to CBS News Detroit, Tlaib competed in Michigan's 12th Congressional District against rivals including Republican James Hooper and Green Party candidate Brenda Sanders. The Associated Press projected at 8:55 p.m. local time on the evening of November 3 that Tlaib had won the race.
In the initial results published by local television channel WDIV, Tlaib's vote share was shown as 85 percent, while her Republican rival Hooper's vote share was 13 percent. However, these rates reflect early results announced before the vote count was completed.
SHE WILL GO TO CONGRESS FOR THE FIFTH TIME
The Detroit-born Palestinian-origin politician was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women to enter the US Congress, also managed to retain her seat in the 2020, 2022 and 2024 elections.
Michigan's 12th Congressional District covers parts of Wayne and Oakland counties, where cities such as Dearborn, Southfield and Livonia are located.
SHE IS KNOWN FOR HER SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE
Rashida Tlaib stands out in Congress especially for her statements defending the rights of Palestinians and her criticism of the Israeli government's policies. The Democratic politician, who opposes military operations in Gaza, is among those who criticize US military support for Israel.
Tlaib's statements on Israeli policies had caused debates in the US Congress in the past. Nevertheless, the Palestinian-origin politician secured the right to continue her duty in the House of Representatives by being re-elected in the elections in Michigan.
DEMOCRATS WON THE MAJORITY IN CONGRESS
Tlaib's re-election took place in midterm elections in which the Democratic Party made significant gains across the country. According to the Associated Press news dated November 4, Democrats won the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, ending Republicans' control over Congress.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed also defeated Republican Mike Rogers and became the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. Thus, the election results in the state also drew attention in terms of the representation of Muslim politicians in Congress.