Six politicians of Nigerian descent have won elective positions in the November 3, 2026, United States midterm elections, securing victories across Maryland, Texas, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
The winners are Will Jawando, Junior Ezeonu, Oye Owolewa, Carol Kazeem, Gabe Okoye and Segun Adeyina. All six contested under the Democratic Party, according to reports.
Their victories span county executive leadership, state legislative seats and local government representation, highlighting the participation of Nigerians and Americans of Nigerian heritage in US politics.
Reports published on Wednesday, November 4, identified the six politicians as winners, although some results remained subject to official certification.
Jawando Wins Montgomery County Executive Election
In Maryland, Will Jawando won the Montgomery County executive election, defeating Republican candidate Esther Wells.
Results published by the Maryland State Board of Elections showed Jawando securing 242,676 votes, representing 77.91 per cent, against Wells’ 67,640 votes, or 21.71 per cent.
The 43-year-old politician previously served as an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, a position he had held since 2018.
Born in Montgomery County to a Nigerian father, Olayinka Jawando, and an American mother, he built his political career around local governance and community development.
During his campaign, Jawando prioritised education funding, affordable housing and measures to address residents’ cost-of-living concerns.
He secured the Democratic Party nomination after defeating fellow council members Andrew Friedson and Evan Glass in the June primary.
Jawando will succeed outgoing County Executive Marc Elrich, who could not seek another term because of term limits.
The county executive oversees the administration of Montgomery County, one of Maryland’s most populous jurisdictions.
27-Year-Old Ezeonu Wins Texas House Seat
In Texas, 27-year-old Junior Ezeonu won election to the State House of Representatives for District 101.
Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Ezeonu moved to the United States with his family when he was two years old.
Before entering the state legislature, he served on the Grand Prairie City Council after winning election in 2021.
He later became the city’s youngest mayor pro tempore.
Ezeonu secured the Democratic Party nomination after defeating incumbent Chris Turner in the party’s primary election.
He subsequently ran unopposed in the November general election after no Republican candidate entered the race.
His election places him among the younger politicians of Nigerian descent serving in American state legislatures.
As a Texas House member, he will participate in decisions affecting education, public safety, economic development and infrastructure.
Owolewa Wins Washington DC Council Seat
In Washington, DC, Oye Owolewa secured an at-large seat on the District of Columbia Council.
Owolewa, a pharmacist and son of Nigerian immigrants from Kwara and Osun states, previously served as the District’s shadow representative to the United States Congress.
The shadow representative position advocates for Washington, DC’s statehood and voting representation in Congress but does not carry voting rights in the federal legislature.
According to election reports, Owolewa secured approximately 69 per cent of first-choice votes, while independent candidate Elissa Silverman received about 21 per cent.
Both candidates secured at-large seats, making the contest a multiple-winner election rather than a single-winner race.
Owolewa’s victory gives him a formal legislative role in the District’s local government, where council members make laws and determine policies affecting residents.
Kazeem Retains Pennsylvania Legislative Seat
In Pennsylvania, Carol Kazeem won re-election to the State House of Representatives for District 159, defeating Republican challenger Michael Bannon.
Kazeem represents parts of Delaware County and first entered the Pennsylvania legislature after winning election in 2022.
Her latest victory extends her representation in the state legislature, where she will continue participating in lawmaking and policy decisions affecting her constituency.
She was also among eight Nigerian-Americans who secured elective positions during the 2022 US midterm elections.
Okoye, Adeyina Win Re-Election In Georgia
Georgia recorded two victories involving politicians of Nigerian descent, with Gabe Okoye and Segun Adeyina retaining their seats in the State House of Representatives.
Okoye secured re-election in District 102 after running unopposed in the general election.
Born in Nigeria, he represents part of Gwinnett County and has participated in political and community engagement among Nigerians in the United States.
Similarly, Adeyina won re-election in District 110, defeating Republican challenger Charles Lollar.
Adeyina, who first entered the Georgia legislature in 2022, also represents parts of Gwinnett County.
He is associated with the Nigerian American Public Advisory Committee, an organisation involved in voter education, registration and political participation among immigrant communities.
Earlier election updates showed Adeyina leading while only a small proportion of expected votes had been counted.
Subsequent reports published on Wednesday identified him as the winner, with approximately 75.6 per cent of the votes against Lollar’s 24.4 per cent.
The victories mean both politicians will continue representing their constituencies in the Georgia legislature.
Nigerian Diaspora Records Growing Political Participation
The six victories highlight the participation of Nigerians and Americans of Nigerian descent in US politics, particularly at state and local government levels.
Although none of the six politicians won a seat in the federal Congress, their positions carry responsibilities in local administration and state-level lawmaking.
Their offices cover policy areas including education, housing, healthcare, infrastructure, taxation, economic development and public service delivery.
Their emergence also illustrates different routes through which immigrants and their descendants participate in American public life, from municipal councils and county administration to state legislatures.
The November 3 elections were held halfway through President Donald Trump’s four-year term.
Voters decided contests for all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats, several governorships, state legislative positions and local government offices.
For Nigeria, the emergence of six politicians of Nigerian descent in the elections represents another example of the diaspora’s participation in American public affairs.
