Seven Greek-Americans elected to US Congress
The US Congress will have seven members of Greek descent following Tuesday’s midterm elections, with six elected to the House of Representatives – four Republicans and two Democrats – and Democrat Chris Pappas winning a Senate seat in New Hampshire.
The four Republicans who secured reelection are Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Gus Bilirakis, Mike Haridopolos and Jimmy Patronis of Florida. On the Democratic side, Dina Titus retained her seat in Nevada, while Maggie Goodlander won reelection in New Hampshire. Pappas’ victory brings the first Greek-American presence in the Senate since 2013.
His defeat of Republican John Sununu was among the most significant results for the Greek-American community. Moving from the House to the Senate, Pappas also makes history as the first openly gay man elected to the upper chamber.
Speaking after his victory, with his husband, Vann Bentley, by his side, Pappas pledged to challenge the influence of major corporations and billionaires. He criticized Republicans in Congress over healthcare cuts, tariffs and military involvement in wars, while accusing President Donald Trump of failing to understand how his policies affect people’s daily lives.
“Voters in New Hampshire and across the country are demanding a change of course,” he said, pledging to work towards that goal.
His campaign focused on household concerns, particularly the cost of living and access to healthcare, while repeatedly criticizing the Trump administration and linking economic pressures to government policies.
Florida accounts for three of the four Greek-American Republicans in the House, all of whom secured another term, albeit with different margins.
Patronis recorded the widest victory, winning Florida’s 1st Congressional District with 62.2% of the vote, against 36% for Democrat Gay Valimont and 1.8% for independent Tyler Davis. He secured his first full two-year term after entering Congress in April 2025 through a special election to replace Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz had resigned in November 2024 amid a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, shortly after being nominated by Trump for attorney general.
Before entering Congress, Patronis served as Florida’s chief financial officer from 2017 to 2025 and previously sat in the state House of Representatives.
In Florida’s 12th Congressional District, Bilirakis secured another term, extending a congressional career that began in January 2007. He succeeded his father, former Congressman Michael Bilirakis, after winning his first election in 2006. He has remained active on issues concerning Greece and Cyprus and maintains close ties with the Greek-American community.
Haridopolos also won a second term in Florida’s 8th Congressional District. First elected to Congress in 2024, he succeeded Republican Bill Posey. He previously served in both chambers of Florida’s legislature and was president of the state Senate from 2010 to 2012.
In New York, Malliotakis secured a fourth consecutive term representing the 11th Congressional District, which includes Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn. She has served in the House since 2020, having previously represented New York in the state Assembly from 2011 to 2020. In 2017, she also ran unsuccessfully for mayor of New York City as the Republican candidate.
The two Democratic victories further strengthen Greek-American representation in the House.
Goodlander, a 40-year-old lawyer, won a second term representing New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District. Her Greek roots are traced to Avdella, in the Grevena region of northern Greece, her mother’s hometown. Her grandfather, Samuel “Sam” Tambosis, came from a Vlach family originating in the village.
In Nevada, Titus retained her seat in the 1st Congressional District. A longstanding figure in American politics, she is among the most active representatives of the Greek-American community in Congress and serves as vice chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, promoting issues of Greek interest in Washington.
Kathimerini
