FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2025
CONTACT: Jessica Delos Reyes
Director of Communications
New American Leaders/New American Leaders Action Fund
jess@newamericanleaders.org

NALAF Endorses 23 Candidates Across State And Local Races

NEW YORK — New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) is proud to announce its next slate of endorsees featuring 23 candidates from across nine states. Among those included in this round’s endorsements are five mayoral candidates, including incumbent mayors Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn, Michigan, and Michelle Wu of Boston, as well as Mo Baydoun of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Mussab Ali of Jersey City, New Jersey and Zohran Mamdani of New York City.

“We are so proud to announce these 23 remarkable individuals as our next endorsee cohort for the New American Leaders Action Fund,” said Ghida Dagher, president and CEO of New American Leaders Action Fund and New American Leaders. “Day in and day out, they put in the work to connect with voters, understand their concerns, and show up fiercely and compassionately. We couldn't be prouder to support them on their journeys.”

"New American Leaders Action Fund understands that we need to turn the page on the politics of the past and build a city that works for working people,” Mamdani said. “Our campaign is bringing immigrant communities and working-class New Yorkers into a coalition united around one simple idea: that this city must be affordable for all of us — not just the wealthy few."

NALAF is committed to increasing New American representation at all levels of government by supporting bold candidates who are first- and second-generation Americans running for office. We support candidates who are grounded in community and want to create an inclusive and welcoming country for New Americans and a healthy democracy for all.

Among the 23 candidates endorsed this round:

  • 17% are first-time candidates.

  • 22% are alums of New American Leaders’ training programs, NALAF’s 501(c)(3) sister organization.

  • 52% are women.

  • 57% are first-generation Americans (born outside of the United States).

  • 35% are second-generation (have at least one parent born outside the United States).

“I’m proud to accept the endorsement of the New American Leaders Action Fund,” Ali said. “NALAF has been a cornerstone of the movement to elevate a new generation of immigrant leadership, and its tireless work has inspired me and countless others to run for office and win. I’m looking forward to working together to build a better future for Jersey City.”

New American Leaders Action Fund Endorsed Candidates (23)

Connecticut

  • Caroline Smith for New Haven Board of Aldermen, Ward 9 

Georgia

  • Akbar Ali for State Legislator, District 106

  • Anthony Garcia Pacheco for Conyers City Council, District 1

  • Debra Shigley for State Senate, District 21

Massachusetts

  • Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler for Cambridge City Council, At Large

  • Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston

Michigan

  • Abdullah Hammoud for Mayor of Dearborn

  • Council Member Mo Baydoun for Mayor of Dearborn Heights

  • Clara Martinez for Lansing City Council, At Large

  • Deyanira Nevarez-Martinez for Lansing City Council, Ward 2

  • Gabriela Santiago-Romero for Detroit City Council, District 6

New Jersey

  • Mussab Ali for Mayor of Jersey City

  • Ravi Bhalla for State Legislator, District 32

New York

  • Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of New York City

Ohio

  • Ajmeri Hoque, Esq. for Franklin County Municipal Court Judge

Texas

  • Dr. Audrey Nath for Houston Independent School Board, District 7

Washington

  • Bryan Yambe for Pierce County Council, District 5

  • Girmay Zahilay for King County, Executive

  • Janice Zahn for State Legislator, District 41

  • Osman Salahuddin for State Legislator, District 48

  • Ruth Perez for Renton City Council, District 6

  • Vandana Slatter for State Senate, District 48

  • Vivian Song for Seattle School Board, District 5

Earlier this summer, NALAF endorsed eight candidates, with a focus on primaries in New York, New Jersey and Virginia. View the endorsees here. NALAF will announce more endorsements throughout the 2025 election cycle.

In the 2024 General Election, NALAF endorsed 59 candidates across 15 states, with more than half (36) winning their races. Since 2018, NALAF has endorsed 233 New American candidates—117 of whom are currently serving. Of the 59 endorsed candidates in 2024, nearly half were first-time candidates (47%), and the majority (59%) ran for positions in state legislatures across 12 states.

For more information on NALAF-endorsed candidates, the endorsement process, or to learn more about the New American Leaders Action Fund, please visit nalaf.org.

About New American Leaders Action Fund
New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) was launched in 2018 to help build a democracy that represents and includes all people. By supporting New Americans as they run for office, engage voters, expand civic engagement, and conduct original research, NALAF champions leadership that truly reflects the fabric of our nation.

# # #

*New American Leaders and New American Leaders Action Fund are separate organizations. New American Leaders is a 501 (c)(3) organization and does not coordinate or participate in any aspect of the endorsement process, candidate or campaign support, or any other partisan political activity.