Joe Neguse Is the First Eritrean-American To Be Elected to Congress

Neguse's win also makes him Colorado's first black congressman.

Joe Neguse Is the First Eritrean-American To Be Elected to Congress

History continues to be made as the U.S. midterm election results continue to roll in.

Joe Neguse, a Democrat from Lafayette, Colorado, won the race to represent the state's 2nd Congressional District, Coloradoanreports.


This makes Neguse Colorado's first black congressman, as well as the first Eritrean-American to have a seat in Congress. He will replace U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, beating Republican Peter Yu 64 percent to 31 percent.

The 34-year-old congressman is joining the small group of first-generation Americans to serve in Congress. He's set to be the youngest of Colorado's nine Congressional representatives and one of the youngest members of Congress as a whole.

His parents are Eritrean immigrants who were naturalized as citizens after being granted asylum.

"With so much vitriol right now in Washington and our political system, we must remember that, while fear is contagious, so is hope," he says in a statement.

Neguse ran a platform that supported a single-payer, Medicare-for-all plan, protecting undocumented immigrants who arrived to the U.S. as children, as well at starting the impeachment process against President Donald Trump.

A three stripped flag in red, yellow and green.
West Africa

Guinea Starts Three Days of Mourning for Victims of Stampede During Football Match

According to reports, 56 people died during the fatal stampede at a football match, but many in the country believe the number is closer to around 100.

Barbra Banda stands during the Women's Group B match between the United States and Zambia during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
News

Barbra Banda Named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2024

This award caps off an extraordinary year for the Zambian captain who made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the first women's soccer player to score three hat-tricks in the tournament.