Ghanaian-American public servant Awisi Quartey Bustos made history in American politics with her bid for the United States Senate in Illinois, becoming what her campaign described as the first Ghanaian-American to run for a U.S. Senate seat.
Bustos entered the crowded 2026 Democratic race to succeed longtime Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who was retiring at the end of his term. Her campaign placed her Ghanaian heritage, public-service experience and commitment to underserved communities at the center of her political message.
Born in Cotonou, Benin, to Ghanaian parents Kwesi and Audrey Quartey, Bustos has spoken openly about her African roots and the influence her upbringing had on her approach to leadership. She later built a career in Illinois government, nonprofit leadership and public policy.
Her résumé includes nearly five years working as an aide and downstate coordinator for Senator Durbin, service as a senior policy adviser with the Illinois Department of Human Services, and leadership of the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.
During the campaign, Bustos emphasized economic opportunity, education, workforce development, immigration reform and investment in communities outside Chicago. She portrayed herself as a candidate seeking to bridge political and geographical divisions across Illinois while bringing a service-focused approach to Washington.
Her historic campaign, however, did not result in the Democratic nomination. Bustos competed in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary but was unsuccessful in her bid to advance to the general election. Federal Election Commission records confirm her candidacy for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat.
Despite the primary result, Bustos’ entry into one of America’s highest-profile political contests represented a notable moment for Ghanaian-American political representation. Her Senate run placed another member of the growing African diaspora into the national political conversation and demonstrated the expanding presence of Ghanaian-Americans in U.S. public life.
