Nadia Mohamed, a 27-year-old Somali-American, was chosen by voters on Tuesday night to serve as the first Black, first Somali, and first Muslim mayor of the Minnesota city of St. Louis Park.
Mohamed handily defeated Dale Anderson, a former banker and continuing education teacher, according to the election results, winning 58% to 41%.
She told VOA’s Somali Service, “As a Somali-American, Muslim, immigrant, and Black person, I am very happy to win.” “I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped me with this. It is a win for us.
In 2021, Maine State Representative Deqa Dhalac became the first Somali American to hold the position of mayor of an American city when the six-member council of South Portland chose Dhalac. Mohamed is chosen directly by the electorate, making history as the first Somali mayor in America.
Mohamed affirmed, “I’ve lived in this city for eighteen years.” “I was able to win an election because I was well-known to the people here, having grown up and completed my education here.”
A head start
Mohamed’s family, who were immigrants, relocated to St. Louis Park when she was ten years old.
Mohamed claims that throughout her early years, she began to dream of holding public office while going on regular walks for amusement.
“When I would stroll through city hall, all I could see on the walls were the pictures of the previous mayors of the city. They were all white dudes. I noticed two women only. She remarked, “None of them looked like me.” “But right now, I’m really thrilled, and it’s incredible to see my picture with these mayors, knowing that it will still be here in, perhaps, 50 years.
“There will be more opportunities for Muslim, Black, and immigrant girls to see one of these mayors,” the speaker stated.
In 2019, Mohamed was elected to the St. Louis Park City Council, becoming the youngest person to hold the office in the 170-year history of the Minneapolis suburb. She was 23 years old.
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She worked as a diversity, equality, and inclusion specialist for the Minnesota Department of Human Services before to entering public office.
In the last 20 years, the proportion of individuals of colour in St. Louis Park, a largely white city of about 50,000, has more than doubled, making up 20% of the total population. 10% of people live there originally from outside, and the average household income is $87,639.
The mayor of the city oversees executive-level activities and serves as both manager and manager. The mayor serves as the City Council’s chair.
Mohamed shall prevail. Jake Spano, who supported Mohamed and declared in March that he would not run for office again.
Other achievements of Somali-Americans
Ward 6 City Councilman Jamal Osman, another Somali-American, successfully maintained his seat in adjacent Minneapolis on Tuesday, garnering 44.6% of the vote, ahead of Kayseh Magan with 30.1% and Tiger Worku with 21.8%.
After the election results were announced, Osman addressed his supporters and expressed his gratitude and happiness at being trusted by the people of Ward 6 for three years in a row.
Osman exclaimed, “I’m really excited.” “There is a tonne of work being done. There is a tonne of work ahead of us.
At least eight Somali-American women emerged victorious in the 2022 U.S. midterm elections.
The triumph of female Somali-American candidates in the United States surpasses that of Somalian female candidates for political office.
Somalia’s federal and regional authorities had to start assigning a certain number of seats in parliament in 2016 due to the severe lack of political rights enjoyed by female lawmakers in the country. However, women were never had the chance to receive the promised 30% quota.
24% of the 329 seats in the two chambers of parliament were held by Somali women in 2016. Female candidates only received 20% of the vote in 2022—well short of the 30% limit.
From Washington, Mohamed Olad Hassan provided reporting. This story first appeared in the Somali Service of VOA.
