Nafis Sadique Shatil
Amid a sweeping victory for Republican Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race, four Bangladeshi-Americans have achieved historic wins in state-level elections. While no Bangladeshi-American has yet been elected to federal positions like the U.S. Senate or Congress, these state-level victories mark a significant achievement and a proud moment for the Bangladeshi-American community.
Winners and Their Backgrounds
- Abul B. Khan – Representing New Hampshire as a State Representative, Khan, a Republican, has been re-elected for his seventh term. Originally from Pirojpur, Khan secured a remarkable 67% of the vote in Rockingham County, demonstrating strong support from his constituents.
- Sheikh Rahman – From Georgia, Democrat Sheikh Rahman won his fourth term as State Senator for District 5, where he garnered an impressive 67.6% of the vote. Rahman, originally from Kishoreganj, has long been a leading voice for the Bangladeshi community and a prominent advocate in Georgia’s state politics.
- Nabila Islam – Also representing Georgia, Democrat Nabila Islam won her second term as State Senator for District 7, with a 55% share of the vote. A native of Noakhali, Islam’s win is especially notable as she represents a younger generation of Bangladeshi-American leaders committed to progressive values.
- Mohammad Masudur Rahman – Representing Connecticut’s 4th District as a State Senator, Rahman, a Democrat, won his re-election bid with 64.8% of the vote. Originally from Chandpur, Rahman’s victory reinforces his standing as a community-oriented leader focused on key issues affecting Connecticut residents.
Community Celebrates Historic Achievements
The Bangladeshi-American community and prominent figures across the U.S. have enthusiastically congratulated these leaders on their achievements. Among those extending their congratulations were Engineer Abubakar Hanip, Chancellor of Washington University of Science and Technology; Mahbubul Alam Tayeb, Mayor of Millbourne City in Pennsylvania; Gias Ahmed, central executive committee member of the BNP; and Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of FOBANA.
Others celebrating the victory include Alim Khan Akash, Chairperson and CEO of Bishwabongla 24 TV; Abdul Kader Mia, President of the Bangabandhu Foundation; Md. Fazlul Haq, Senior Vice President of the Foundation; M. Fazlur Rahman, President of the Southern U.S. chapter of the Awami League; and Dr. Mohammad Ali Manik, Secretary of the same chapter.
Local business leaders and organizations like Akhtar Hossain Badal, Director of Long Island Chamber of Commerce, and MA Salam, President of the America-Bangladesh Alliance, also sent their best wishes. Leaders such as Zainal Abedin of the Bangladeshi American Advocacy Group and Rahim Nihal, Chairperson of the Refugee County in the Texas Democratic Party, expressed their pride in seeing the community’s growing influence in American politics.
Record Turnout and Voter Engagement
This election saw unprecedented voter turnout among Bangladeshi-American voters. Many from the community turned out in record numbers, motivated by issues like the recent Israeli aggression in Gaza and Libya. The Bangladeshi-American electorate also showed notable support for Donald Trump’s vision, aligning with many Republicans in seeking economic stability and relief from recent challenges.
These victories by Bangladeshi-American candidates underscore the increasing political engagement of this diaspora community and reflect a powerful shift towards representation at state levels. The community is hopeful that their new and re-elected leaders will continue to advocate for both local interests and international concerns, amplifying the voices of Bangladeshi-Americans across the nation.