Historic victory for Somali-American Muslim woman in US legislative polls

The United States has its first Somali-American legislator. Ilhan Omar made history on Tuesday night after winning in a state House race.

Ilhan, who stood on the ticket of the Democratic Farmer Labour (DFL) – affiliated to the Democratic Party, in Minneapolis District, defeated the nominal Republican opposition.

She will be a lawmaker in the Minnesota House of Representative for District 60B. Her legislative area comprises parts of the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, south-east Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota.

She is the first Somali-American, Muslim woman in the nation to hold an office at this level. She is a policy analyst, coalition builder and community educator. She left Somalia due to the civil was then to Kenya before ending up in the US.

#Minnesota has officially elected Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American lawmaker in #US. #Election2016 pic.twitter.com/FvUlPSHMvJ

— Live From Mogadishu (@Daudoo) November 9, 2016

“It’s the beginning of something new. This district has a legacy of making history. I am excited for our progressive values and to be able to be on the ground at the Capitol representing the diverse people of my district and being a champion with them and for them,” the 34-year-old is quoted to have said.

“Most recently, she served as the Director of Policy Initiatives at Women Organizing Women, where she empowered East African woman to take civic leadership roles in their community. Ilhan lives in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis with her husband and their three children,” her official website stated.