The American Committee for Middle East Rights (ACMER) congratulates the ACMER MERIT PAC–endorsed candidates who won their races in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a powerful rebuke of failed U.S. foreign policies toward the Middle East and North Africa. From deep-blue cities to districts President Donald Trump won overwhelmingly, these candidates campaigned on ending unconditional weapons transfers and military aid, holding allies accountable for human rights abuses, and prioritizing investments at home over endless wars abroad. Voters sent a resounding message: It’s time for a new U.S. foreign policy.
ACMER MERIT PAC candidates showed that values-based foreign policy can win elections. In Michigan, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers to become the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate. Throughout his campaign, El-Sayed called for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, Egypt, and other authoritarian governments implicated in human rights abuses and war crimes. He told voters the country needs “money to feed children at home, not for wars that kill children abroad.” He won despite a bigoted campaign of racist and anti-Muslim attacks, and after AIPAC and its affiliates spent more than $42 million against him.
In New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, Dr. Adam Hamawy, a 9/11 first responder and Army combat surgeon who volunteered in Gaza, won on the slogan “healthcare, not bombs.” In New York’s 10th District, Brad Lander won after defeating an incumbent in a primary that centered on U.S. support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
In Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the Senate, while calling out Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Randy Villegas flipped California’s 22nd District after calling for an end to the Iran war and military aid to Israel. In Ohio’s 15th District, a district Trump previously won by 10 points, Don Leonard was elected while pledging to halt offensive weapons to Israel.
In 2024, Trump ran for president and won by casting himself as an anti-war candidate. The Biden administration’s failed policies, including funding for weapons and technology to carry out a genocide in Gaza and supporting authoritarian regimes across the Middle East, created that opening for him. Once in office, Trump broke that promise, launching a war of choice in Iran that has dragged on for eight months, claimed the lives of Iranian civilians and U.S. service members, and sent gas prices soaring. His administration has continued the flow of weapons to human rights abusers in the region, and sent billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to Israel that have funded atrocities in Gaza and wars across the region.
Voters turned out and rejected the politicians who enabled failed U.S. foreign policy. According to exit polls, 74% of voters said the war was a crucial or major factor in their vote, and 62% said military action against Iran was the wrong decision. Vice President JD Vance blamed the Iran war for Republican losses. Trump also acknowledged that the Iran war was part of the reason for his party’s defeat.
Voters have spoken, the debate is changing, and the time for Congress to act is now. Americans are tired of the failed foreign policy status quo that has led us down the same disastrous path year after year. They are ready for policies that put diplomacy first and center human rights and democratic values.
“The new Congress must end the war in Iran, stop sending military aid to autocrats and human rights abusers, and prioritize aiding civil society organizations that promote good governance and democracy in the region,” said Kristina Biyad, executive director of ACMER. “Voters just delivered a clear message. Now an anti-war, pro-diplomacy Congress must follow through.”
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