Greece is closely following the United States midterm elections as officials in Athens focus on strategic bilateral ties and dozens of Greek-American election candidates.
With voting stations across the country set to close within 24 hours, the Greek government is approaching the vote with the primary objective of ensuring continuity in its strategic partnership with Washington.
Maximos Mansion, the government headquarters and official working office of the Greek prime minister in Athens, has overseen a steady deepening of military and diplomatic ties with the United States in recent years. This bilateral partnership has been anchored by updates to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement, an accord that permits American armed forces to operate from strategic locations such as Souda Bay in Crete and Alexandroupoli in the north. The cooperation also includes major procurement initiatives, most notably Greece's planned acquisition of American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets for the Hellenic Air Force.
Strategic defense ties and regional stability
Greek diplomats are actively working to preserve open communication channels with both the Democratic and Republican parties. Regardless of which party wins majorities in the Senate or the House of Representatives, foreign policy planners in Athens remain focused on safeguarding regional stability across the Eastern Mediterranean.
A core concern for Greek diplomacy is the deterrence of Turkish revisionism, particularly regarding territorial boundaries, airspace jurisdiction and offshore energy exploration rights in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean basins. Athens regards sustained political support in Washington as a vital counterweight to maintain peace and enforce international law in the region.
For officials at Maximos Mansion, maintaining real influence in Washington depends heavily on the presence of the Greek diaspora within American decision-making centres. Greek foreign policy places particular value on maintaining a vigorous Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, a bipartisan group of lawmakers that promotes bilateral relations and addresses security issues involving Greece and Cyprus.
More than 50 Greek-American candidates are running for public office across federal, state and local ballots in this midterm cycle. This extensive electoral engagement offers Athens a broad network of potential allies across multiple layers of American government.
The New Hampshire Senate contest
The most prominent and critical federal race involving the diaspora is taking place in New Hampshire, where two Greek-Americans are competing directly against each other for a single seat in the United States Senate.
Chris Pappas, who is running as the Democratic Party nominee, faces Republican candidate John Sununu in the high-profile statewide election. The contest guarantees that a lawmaker of Greek heritage will hold a seat in the 100-member upper chamber of Congress.
The United States Senate wields substantial constitutional authority over foreign policy, including the power to confirm ambassadors, approve international treaties and review major foreign military sales. For diplomats in Athens, having a senator with personal ties to the Greek-American diaspora in the 100-member chamber provides an influential advocate during debates over Eastern Mediterranean security and regional defense cooperation.
Congressional races in Florida and New York
In the United States House of Representatives, six sitting lawmakers and one prominent new candidate are seeking election or re-election. These congressional battles are distributed across several major states with active Greek-American populations.
In Florida, Republican Representative Gus Bilirakis is seeking re-election in the 12th congressional district, continuing a long family tenure in Congress where he has served as a senior leader on Hellenic issues. Two other Florida Republicans of Greek ancestry, former state senator Mike Haridopolos in the 8th congressional district and Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, are also seeking election to federal office.
In New York, Republican Representative Nicole Malliotakis is contesting the 11th congressional district, which encompasses Staten Island and sections of southern Brooklyn. In Nevada, Democratic Representative Dina Titus is campaigning to retain her congressional seat, while in New Hampshire, Democratic candidate Maggie Goodlander is contesting the state's 2nd congressional district.
Statewide executive races and local ballots
Greek-American politicians are also contesting significant executive positions in several state governments across the United States. In California, Eleni Kounalakis is running as the Democratic candidate for the office of state treasurer, which oversees state investments, bond sales and public finance programs.
In Illinois, Democratic incumbent Alexi Giannoulias is seeking re-election as secretary of state, directing public records and driver services. In Nevada, Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony is engaged in broader state political races, while in Massachusetts, Democrat Diana DiZoglio serves as state auditor, and Susan Bysiewicz holds office as the lieutenant governor of Connecticut.
The diaspora presence also reaches into the judicial system, where Judge Theo Angelis is campaigning to maintain his seat on the Washington State Supreme Court. Below the statewide tier, dozens of Greek-American candidates are running for positions in state senates and state assemblies across the country.
As polling places across the United States complete their voting and counting begins, officials in Athens will track the outcomes closely to gauge how the incoming Congress will approach Mediterranean security partnerships and bilateral defense commitments.
