WHEN WE RUN, WE WIN: NEW AMERICAN LEADERS ALUMNI SECURE 81% WIN RATE NATIONWIDE
NEW YORK— New American Leaders (NAL), the only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to preparing first- and second-generation Americans to run for office, is celebrating its highest win percentage by its program alumni in its 15-year history. So far, 81% of NAL alumni who appeared on the 2025 General Election ballot won their races, with one race yet to be called.
This cycle, 26 NAL alumni (those who have completed one of NAL’s training programs) were on the ballot, with at least 21 having secured victories, with one race still pending final results. Their successes span 10 states and five different levels of local and state offices.
"I have watched many of these leaders go from wondering whether they belonged in politics to owning their voice and earning the trust of their communities," said Ghida Dagher, CEO and President of New American Leaders. "This milestone matters for them, for the communities they represent, and for our organization. It shows that building leadership from the ground up works. These wins are not just electoral victories; they open doors for entire communities. When New Americans lead, our democracy becomes more grounded in real-life experience and the needs of families and neighborhoods. This year’s results prove that when New Americans are equipped and believed in, they transform our democracy."
Over the past 15 years, NAL has trained more than 2,000 New Americans on centering their immigrant story and running community-centered campaigns to bridge the gap between underrepresented communities and political power.
Democracy in Action
Of NAL’s 26 alumni in the 2025 General Election:
21 (81%) won their races
4 (15%) lost
1 (4%) remains uncalled
Important Wins and “Firsts” Within the NAL Alumni Community
NAL alumni made significant strides in key races across the country, demonstrating their dedication to community-centered leadership.
Together, these victories showcase the lasting impact of NAL’s work to build a pipeline of leaders who reflect the diversity and dynamism of our nation.
Seven NAL Alumni were Re-Elected to New York City Council: Alexa Avilés, Amanda Farias, Crystal Hudson, Pierina Sanchez, Julie Won, Shahana Hanif and Shekar Krishnan all won their bids for re-election to their respective seats on the New York City Council and are members of NAL’s Elected and Appointed Officials Network.
Anthony Garcia Pacheco will become the first Latino to represent the Conyers City Council in Conyers, Georgia. Garcia Pacheco, a first-time candidate, first attended the Ready to Lead® training in Georgia back in 2019. When a chemical fire in Conyers released dangerous chlorine levels in September 2024, Garcia Pacheco and his family were living just nearby. With a toddler at home and a step-son with asthma, the incident drove him to run for office to advocate for environmental safety and public health.
Ajmeri Hoque, Esq., will become the first Muslim judge in Ohio, and the first Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) judge in Franklin County. Hoque first ran for this seat in 2021. Earlier this year, she strengthened her campaign skills by completing NAL’s Ready to Lead® National Women’s Training. Hoque came to Ohio from Bangladesh as a toddler. Throughout her professional career, she’s been active in the New American community in Ohio and is proud to have been able to fight for clients who have been wrongly accused, as well as reunify children who have been separated from their parents.
Ashish Vaidya will become the first Indian American and the first AAPI person to serve on the city council in Centennial, Colorado. After running unsuccessfully for state representative in 2023, Vaidya deepened his campaign and leadership skills through NAL’s Ready to Lead® and Ready to Win® trainings. With 15 years of experience teaching social science at both the high school and college levels, Vaidya puts his real-world civic engagement lessons to work in the classroom and the outside world.
Erendira Brumley will become the first Latina elected to the city council in Roswell, Georgia. She ran for the Georgia House of Representatives in 2022 where she was unsuccessful. She later became an active member of the NAL community, having volunteered to support NAL trainings, as well as completing NAL’s Rising to Run®, an innovative program designed to empower women of color and New American women who have previously run for office and lost, and the Ready to Win® advanced candidate training earlier this year.
2025 General Election: NAL Alumni Snapshot
Gender Breakdown: 13 women, 13 men
Non-incumbents (by seat): 12
States Represented: 10 states — Colorado (4), Georgia (3), Maine (1), Michigan (4), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), New York (7), Ohio (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1)
Immigrant Generations Represented: 12 first-gen, 12 second-gen, 1 third-gen
Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds: Asian (9), Black (5), Hispanic or Latinx (7), MENA (4), Multiracial (1)
Across these communities, NAL alumni ran for a wide range of offices that shape daily life:
City Council: 17 candidates
State House: 2 candidates
Mayor: 3 candidates
School Board: 2 candidates
County-Level Seats: 2 candidates
NAL’s Commitment to Civic Engagement and Inclusive Leadership
New American Leaders remains dedicated to building a democracy that includes all voices. Through its training programs for civic leaders to its governance work supporting elected or appointed officials alike, NAL empowers New Americans to take active roles in their communities, advocating for policies and actions that reflect their values. By emphasizing authenticity, accountability, and commitment to their communities, NAL alumni are helping to reshape public service and foster a more representative democracy.
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About New American Leaders
New American Leaders (NAL) is the only national, nonpartisan organization dedicated to building a more inclusive democracy by empowering New Americans for public service and expanding civic engagement nationwide. NAL equips New Americans with the tools to engage in public service—whether by running for office, serving in government, or organizing in their communities. Guided by values of authenticity, accountability, and inclusivity, NAL alumni are transforming what leadership looks like and ensuring that America’s leaders reflect the richness of its people.
Stay connected with New American Leaders by following us on social media @NewAmericanLd and sign up to receive updates at www.newamericanleaders.org.
*New American Leaders and New American Leaders Action Fund are separate and distinct organizations. New American Leaders is a 501 (c)(3) organization and does not coordinate or participate in any aspect of the endorsement process, candidate or campaign support, or any other partisan political activity.
