First Iranian Americans elected for US Congress

Stephanie Bice made history by becoming the first Iranian American elected to US Congress, and the highest-ranking Iranian American in the US government.

Iran PressAmerica: The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization serving the interests of Iranian Americans, congratulates Oklahoma State Senator Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani (D-FL), New York State Senator AnnaKaplan (D-NY) and Phoenix’s City Council candidate Yassamin Ansari for their successes in the 2020 election. 

“This is a powerful moment for the Iranian American community,” explained Alia Executive Director Leila Austin. “PAAIA is proud to support these incredible women and the other Iranian American candidates who ran for elected office this year.

State Senator Stephanie Bice ran a competitive campaign against first-term incumbent Rep. Kendra Horn (D-OK/5th), winning with 52.1% of the vote. Her opponent for Oklahoma’s 5th congressional districts received 47.9% of the vote. Senator Bice’s electoral victory makes her the first Iranian American elected to Congress and the highest-ranking Iranian American in the US government.

Senator Bice was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate District 22 in 2014. She served for two years as Assistant Majority Floor Leader in the Oklahoma Senate and is Chair of Senate Finance Committee. Senator Bice’s leadership skills and abilities garnered state and national attention. She received the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce Rising Star award and was selected as a member of the Governing Institute Women in Government Leadership Class of 2016.

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