Two additional Greek American candidates await final election outcomes, with one race pending a recount and another proceeding to a runoff
PROVIDENCE, RI — The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA) announces that 46 Hellenic-Americans currently hold elected positions at the federal and state levels across the United States, including newly elected representatives, reelected incumbents, returning legislators, and officials continuing their existing terms, following the November 3, 2026, U.S. midterm elections.
The election outcomes of two additional Greek American candidates remain pending, one awaiting a recount and the other a runoff election.
These results and continuing public-service roles reaffirm the significant presence and contributions of Greek Americans to political life and democratic institutions throughout the United States. Following the 2026 midterm elections, Hellenic Americans are represented across multiple levels of government, reflecting the community’s longstanding commitment to public service, civic engagement, and leadership.
Representing both the Democratic and Republican parties, these elected officials demonstrate the broad and bipartisan participation of the Greek American community in American democracy. The 46 elected officials serving in federal and state legislative leadership positions underscore the significant presence and contributions of Americans of Hellenic descent to public life in the United States.
They are members of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA), an international network of elected officials of Hellenic descent dedicated to strengthening parliamentary cooperation, promoting Hellenic heritage, and fostering closer relations between their respective countries and Greece.
One of the most significant electoral victories was that of Congressman Chris Pappas (Democrat, New Hampshire), who was elected to the United States Senate. His election makes him the fourth Greek American to serve in the U.S. Senate, following Paul Sarbanes, Paul Tsongas, and Olympia Snowe. His achievement represents another important milestone for the Greek American community and further highlights the contributions of Americans of Hellenic descent to the nation’s highest levels of public leadership. Six Greek American members of the U.S. House of Representatives secured their reelection in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections:
- Gus Bilirakis (Republican, Florida)
- Mike Haridopolos (Republican, Florida)
- Jimmy Patronis (Republican, Florida)
- Dina Titus (Democrat, Nevada)
- Maggie Goodlander (Democrat, New Hampshire)
- Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, New York)
Together with Senator-elect Chris Pappas, they represent a seven-member Greek American presence in the incoming United States Congress, reflecting the continued participation and contribution of Americans of Hellenic descent at the federal level.
In Statewide offices Eleni Kounalakis (Democrat, California), who has served as California’s Lieutenant Governor since 2019, was elected State Treasurer, marking another significant achievement for Greek American representation in statewide government. Joining her among the Greek American statewide officials who secured reelection are:
- Susan Bysiewicz (Democrat, Connecticut) – Lieutenant Governor
- Alexi Giannoulias (Democrat, Illinois) – Secretary of State
- Diana DiZoglio (Democrat, Massachusetts) – State Auditor
At the state level, several legislators across numerous states secured re-election or ran unopposed, thereby retaining their seats in their respective state senates, houses of representatives, and legislative assemblies.
State Senators with elections:
- Spiros Mantzavinos (Democrat, Delaware)
- James Ohrenschall (Democrat, Nevada)
- Andrew Gounardes (Democrat, New York)
- James Skoufis (Democrat, New York)
- Maria Tzanakis-Collett (Democrat, Pennsylvania)
- Leonidas Raptakis (Democrat, Rhode Island)
State Representatives and Assembly members with elections:
- Stacey (Anastasia) Travers (Democrat, Arizona)
- Diane Papan (Democrat, California)
- Eleni Kavros DeGraw (Democrat, Connecticut)
- Nicole Klarides-Ditria (Republican, Connecticut)
- Christopher Poulos (Democrat, Connecticut)
- Tina Courpas (Republican, Connecticut)
- Bill Heffernan (Democrat, Connecticut)
- Penelope Tsernoglou (Democrat, Michigan)
- Efstathia Booras (Democrat, New Hampshire)
- Louis Juris (Democrat, New Hampshire)
- Zoe Manos (Democrat, New Hampshire)
- Michael Tannousis (Republican, New York)
- Steven Malagari (Democrat, Pennsylvania)
- Leonidas Stavrinakis (Democrat, South Carolina)
- John Spiros (Republican, Wisconsin)
State Senators and State Representatives and Assemblymembers with no opposition:
- Bruce Tarr (Republican, Massachusetts) – State Senator
- John Velis (Democrat, Massachusetts) – State Senator
- Steven Xiarhos (Republican, Massachusetts) – State Representative
- Chuck Efstration (Republican, Georgia) – Majority Leader State Representative
- Alek Skarlatos (Republican, Oregon) – State Representative
- Savet Constantine (Democrat, Connecticut) – State Representative
- Ryan Kominakis, (Democrat, Indiana) – State Representative
These legislators exemplify the continued strength of Hellenic-American participation in state government and their enduring commitment to public service in communities throughout the United States. Their continued service underscores the significant presence and contributions of Greek Americans in state legislatures, as well as in key executive and constitutional offices across the country.
Newly Elected and returning Greek American Legislators
The 2026 elections also ushered in new Greek American representation while welcoming back experienced Hellenic-American lawmakers, reflecting the continued engagement and growing presence of the Greek American community in public service at the state level.
Daniel Konstantopoulos (Republican, Kentucky) was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives for the first time as was Chris Moraitis (Republican, Michigan) was elected to the MichiganState Senate and. George Margetas (Republican, Pennsylvania) secured his first full legislative term, following his initial election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a special election in May 2026. Three former state legislators successfully returned to office Lynn Afendoulis (Republican, Michigan) – Elected again to the Michigan House of Representatives, where she previously served. Benjamin Baroody and Thomas Katsiantonis (Democrat, New Hampshire) returned to the New Hampshire House of Representatives after previous legislative service.
The 2026 election results highlighted both the emergence of new Greek American political figures and the continued public service of experienced legislators. However, the outcomes for two additional Greek American candidates remain pending, with the final results dependent on the completion of the vote count, a possible recount, and a scheduled runoff election.
- John Lemondes (Republican, New York) – Incumbent State Assemblymember, awaiting the completion of the vote count, with a possible recount to determine the outcome.
- Mike Cheokas (Republican, Georgia) – Incumbent State Representative, advancing to a runoff election scheduled for December 1, 2026, to determine the outcome of the race.
Legislators not on the 2026 Ballot were Stella Pekarsky (Democrat, Virginia) who continues to serve in the Virginia State Senate under her four-year term, which will be up for re-election in November 2027 and John Allen (Democrat, New Jersey), who served in the New Jersey General Assembly did not seek re-election in 2025 but will seek to return in 2027.
The W.H.I.A also acknowledges the contributions of retiring State Senators Stephan Pappas (Republican, Wyoming) Sandra Pappas (Democrat, Minnesota) and Michael Gianaris (Democrat, New York).
Four incumbents were unsuccessful in their re-election campaigns. Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony (Republican, Nevada), State Representative Steve Demetriou (Republican, Ohio), State Senator Denise Ricciardi (Republican, New Hampshire) and State Representative Meg Weinberger (Republican, Florida).
The Hellenic-American elected members are associated with the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA), an international organization founded in 1996, that consists of current and former elected legislative and general officers of Hellenic descent in non-Greek speaking countries.
