The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, celebrates the election of American Muslim U.S. Representative-elect Lateefah Simon (D-CA) to Congress, representing California’s District 12.
Simon is a current member of the Bay Area Rapid Transit board of directors. Simon also served as the Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in the San Francisco Bay Area and was appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees by former Governor Jerry Brown.
CAIR also congratulates American Muslim U.S. Representatives André Carson (D-IN), representing Indiana’s District 7, Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), representing Michigan’s District 12, and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), representing Minnesota’s District 3, on their outstanding electoral victories. With the addition of Representative-elect Simon, there will now be four American Muslims in Congress serving in the 119th Congress.
SEE: California House District 12 General Election Results 2024
New and Returning U.S. Representatives Secure Strong Mandates
- Lateefah Simon (D): Projected winner for California’s District 12, leading by 25,000 votes with 63% of the vote.
- André Carson (D): Re-elected with 167,904 votes, securing 68.2% of the vote.
- Rashida Tlaib (D): Re-elected with 253,188 votes, receiving 69.7% of the vote.
- Ilhan Omar (D): Re-elected with 261,060 votes, achieving 75.2% of the vote.
In a statement CAIR Government Affairs Department Director Robert McCaw said,
“Lateefah Simon’s election is a powerful reminder that American Muslims are making strides and finding their voices in the halls of Congress. Especially during a time when many in our community feel the weight of rising Islamophobia. Her presence, alongside Representatives Carson, Tlaib, and Omar, demonstrates our community’s resilience and commitment to justice. This achievement should inspire every American Muslim to have faith in their ability to create positive change and to contribute to a more inclusive and just society.“
In the 119th Congress, CAIR looks forward to ongoing engagement with congressional offices to advance civil rights and address issues affecting Muslims and all Americans, including protections for civil rights, social justice, and advocacy for peace. CAIR remains dedicated to amplifying Muslim voices in government and will continue working to ensure that all Americans are represented and heard.
CAIR has been working throughout the election season to mobilize the nation’s over 2.5 million registered American Muslim voters, including in the final days of the election.
SEE: CAIR COMMUNITY ALERT: Muslim Voter Turnout Promising But Must Be Higher. Vote on Nov. 5th!
Over the weekend, CAIR sent over 600,000 text messages reminding registered Muslim voters across the county, including key swing states, to plan to vote and turn out on election day.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com