FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2025
CONTACT:
Jessica Delos Reyes
Director of Communications
jess@newamericanleaders.org
719-494-7945

NEW AMERICAN LEADERS ACTION FUND SHATTERS ENDORSEMENT RECORD WITH 69 CANDIDATES IN GENERAL ELECTION

Largest cohort to date achieves 71% wins so far across multiple levels of office

NEW YORK— New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) made history this year by endorsing 72 candidates across five levels of local and state office in 15 states.

Of these candidates, 69 advanced to the General Election, with at least 71% winning their races, signaling the rise of a new class of New American leaders (first- and second-generation Americans) who have been shaped by their lived experiences and dedication to an inclusive democracy. Three races have yet to be called, and one candidate will advance to a runoff on December 2, 2025.

"This year’s endorsee class is the largest in our history, and each of these candidates carries a story of family, sacrifice and hope,” said Ghida Dagher, CEO and President of New American Leaders Action Fund. “In the face of anti-immigrant rhetoric, they lead with courage, conviction, and the lessons of their New American heritage. We are incredibly proud of them and excited to see what they will accomplish as they continue to shape a democracy that reflects all of us.”

These results reflect broader national trends among New American candidates. New American women running for state legislative office won at a rate of 86.7%, while New American men won at 51.7*%. (The three races yet to be called are for male candidates.) Overall, 63.6% of New American state legislative candidates were elected, further demonstrating the growing appeal of New American leadership nationwide.

NALAF is committed to increasing New American representation at all levels of office by supporting bold New American candidates running for elected or appointed office. New Americans represent an estimated 35% of the U.S. population, yet they remain underrepresented in elected office. Since its founding in 2018, NALAF has endorsed 305 candidates up and down the ballot. 


Record-Breaking Representation

NALAF’s 2025 endorsees represent one of the most diverse and dynamic cohorts in the organization’s history—spanning 15 states from coast to coast.

  • States Represented: Colorado (3), Connecticut (1), Georgia (5), Maine (1), Massachusetts (9), Michigan (13), Minnesota (2), New Jersey (5), New Mexico (3), New York (5), Ohio (10), Texas (1), Utah (1), Virginia (3), and Washington (7).

  • Countries of Origin: 29

  • Generations Represented: 31 first-generation, 35 second-generation, 2 third-generation, 1 fourth-generation

  • Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds: Asian (25), Black (11), Hispanic/Latinx (16), Middle Eastern/North African (9), Multiracial (5), White (3)

  • Gender Breakdown: 37 women and 32 men

Across these communities, NALAF endorsees ran for a wide range of offices that shape daily life:

  • City Council: 39 candidates

  • State House (Lower Chamber): 10 candidates

  • State Senate (Upper Chamber): 1 candidate

  • Mayor: 9 candidates

  • School Board: 6 candidates

  • County-Level Seats: 4 candidates

Notably, 42 of the 69 endorsees were non-incumbents, underscoring the growing appetite for fresh, community-driven leadership across the country.

Democracy in Action

Of NALAF’s 69 endorsees in the 2025 General Election:

  • 49 (71%) won their races

  • 16 (23%) lost

  • 3 (4%) remain uncalled

  • 1 (1%) will advance to a runoff on December 2

Each win represents more than a seat—it’s a step toward a democracy that is inclusive, representative, and resilient.

“Every New American candidate represents a story of courage and commitment,” added Dagher. “They’re not just running for office—they’re redefining who belongs in power and showing what inclusive leadership looks like.”

Breaking Barriers and Making History

Among this year’s endorsees are several historic “firsts”—trailblazing New Americans breaking barriers in their cities and states.

  • Mayoral Might

    • Zohran Mamdani will become the first Muslim and first person of South Asian descent to serve as mayor of New York City following an election that drew out the largest number of voters for a New York City mayoral election since 1969. At the age of 34, this first-generation Ugandan became the youngest mayor of the city in the past 100 years.

    • Michelle Wu, Boston’s first Asian American and woman mayor, will serve another four-year term after running unopposed when her opponent failed to garner enough votes to advance to the General Election. The last time a mayor ran unopposed in Boston was in 1997.

    • Kaohly Her will become the first Hmong mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota—a place with one of the largest Hmong populations in the country. She will also lead an all-women city council.

  • State-Level Stars

    • May Nivar will become the first Chinese American to ever serve in the Virginia General Assembly with her win, ousting the incumbent for the seat and flipping it.

    • Akbar Ali is advancing to a runoff election on December 2nd for the Georgia General Assembly. At just 21, he would become the youngest member and the first Shia Muslim to serve in the office.

  • Local Leaders

    • Deyanira Nevarez Martinez will become the first Latina woman elected to the Ward 2 seat on the Lansing, Michigan City Council. The daughter of farmworkers and a first-generation college graduate, Nevarez Martinez is also an Assistant Professor in the Urban and Regional Planning Program at Michigan State University, where her research and teaching focus on housing justice and planning with and for historically marginalized communities.

    • Maria Ramirez will become the first Latina elected to the Worthington City Council in Ohio. Trained as an architect and urban planner, she is interested in the intersection of design, planning and community development. Ramirez currently works as the Public Art Coordinator for Greater Columbus Arts Council.

    • Nadia Rasul will become the first Muslim woman to be elected to the Hilliard City Council in Ohio. She was one of the first Palestinians to build a home in Hillard in 1991, and since then, she has been a point of contact and welcoming presence for New Americans who move to the area.

Track the Movement

Explore the growing impact of New American leadership through the New American Candidate Database (NACD), a first-of-its-kind resource tracking first- and second-generation Americans running for public office nationwide. 

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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.

Stay connected with New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) by following us on social media @NALActionFund and sign up to receive updates at www.nalaf.org.

*New American Leaders and New American Leaders Action Fund are separate and distinct 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.