A look at how LGBTQ+ issues played out in midterms and faith groups that weighed in

Nithya Raman, a practicing Hindu, elected as mayor of Los Angeles

(RNS) — Los Angles voters elected Hindu Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman as mayor, giving mayoral offices to Indian American immigrants in the two largest U.S. cities.

Hating Muslims is becoming a losing strategy

(RNS) — One of the many revelations of the 2026 midterm elections is that Islamophobia is becoming a much less effective political weapon.

For the first time, Jain American elected to Congress

(RNS) Dr. Amish Shah, a Jain adherent, and Pia Dandiya, the daughter of practicing Jains, were both elected to the House of Representatives, bringing an ancient Indian faith to Congress.

On Diwali, Jains honor a man who owned nothing. COP31 should take note. 

(RNS) — Mahavira's nirvana falls the night before the climate summit opens. His central teaching, aparigraha, asks the question both a shopping season and climate diplomacy avoid: How much is enough? 

‘A beautifully American story’: El-Sayed’s historic Senate victory resonates with Muslim Americans

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — “They tried to demonize people because of how they pray,” El-Sayed told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “And Michigan — the whole Michigan — clapped back. People don’t want that. They’re sick of it.”