Ilhan Omar made history by becoming the the first Somali-American to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives. And now, she is set to make history again, as she is working towards becoming a member of Congress. If this happens, she would become the first Somali-American member of congress.
Last week, Ilhan officially filed the paperwork to become the next representative for Minnesota’s 5th district, a seat currently held by Congressman Keith Ellison, who will be leaving to vie for the position of Minnesota’s next Attorney General
In a statement announcing her Congressional run, Ilhan spoke about her roots as a refugee, and how her love for politics was incited in her teenage years. She spoke of her need to fight for criminal justice and policing reform; affordable and accessible education and housing; healthcare for all; environmental justice; as well as racial, economic, and social equity.
“I came to this Country as a refugee, fleeing war and starvation, seeking a new home and freedom in the form of democracy. I fell in love with politics as a young girl living in Cedar-Riverside. Fifteen years later, my community asked me to serve. And alongside them, we ran a historic campaign, increasing turnout among young people, people of color, and bringing new voters into the DFL party,” Omar said.
“A voice like mine has never been heard in Washington D.C. and as your next Congresswoman, I will fight for criminal justice and policing reform; affordable and accessible education and housing; healthcare for all; environmental justice; and racial, economic, and social equity. As both an organizer and a legislator, I have been pushing back against the profusion of bigotry and hate sweeping our nation, and I am ready to bring that fight to Capitol Hill.”
The statement also records some of the 36 year old’s big wins listing some of them thus: Expanding childcare grants for student parents, funding summer enrichment programs for low income students, measles education and prevention programing, and the Somali Museum of Arts. It was also mentioned that she also successfully negotiated over $200 million, investing in critical bonding projects for the District and State.
Essence reports that if elected, she will not only be the first Somali-American in Congress, but she’ll also become the first Muslim woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
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