By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Minnesota(Mogadishu24)-Nadia Mohamed, a 27-year-old of Somali descent, has been elected as the mayor of St. Louis Park, making her as the first Somali descendant and Muslim to hold this office in Minnesota.
Following her victory, Nadia gathered thousands of supporters to celebrate and express her gratitude to the residents of St. Louis Park.
"have no words tonight other than thank you! Thank you St. Louis Park for placing your trust and faith in me, this election is more important than we could have ever imagined, and I am truly grateful to the voters of this district for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead and serve you,” said Hon. Nadia Mohamed.
Nadia has been a resident of St. Louis Park since she was 10 years old. She stated the vital role her mother has played in her political career, serving as an unwavering source of support and inspiration.
“My mother has been an instrumental figure throughout my life. I am profoundly grateful for her unwavering support, motivation, and encouragement throughout my political journey. She provided not only financial assistance but also campaigned with me, even going door to door,” she added.
Hon. Jake Spano, the former mayor of St. Louis Park, did not seek re-election for a third term, paving the way for Nadia to announce her candidacy in April of this year.
In this election, Nadia secured over 58% of the votes, defeating her opponent, Dale Anderson, a professor at the University of Minnesota, and ultimately assumed the role of mayor in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Nadia's political journey began when she served as a member of the local city council, and her historic win also establishes her as the youngest mayor in the city's history.
Throughout her campaign, Nadia pledged to promote homeownership in the community, earning significant support from residents and the city's former mayor.
In 2021, Deka Dhala became the first Somali woman to serve as a mayor when she was elected as the mayor of South Portland in the state of Maine.
Somali-Americans in the United States have achieved great milestones in various levels of government, from local administrations to the House of Representatives, leaving a lasting impact on the country's political landscape.
Minnesota, in particular, is home to the largest Somali population in the United States and has witnessed remarkable progress in political representation in recent years.
In 2018, Ilhan Omar made history by becoming the first Somali-American to serve as a member of the House of Representatives.
