Zaynab Mohamed
Zaynab Mohamed | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the Minnesota Senate from the 63rd district | |
| Assuming office January 3, 2023 | |
| Succeeding | Patricia Torres Ray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 4, 1997[1] |
| Political party | Democratic–Farmer–Labor[2] |
Zaynab M. Mohamed (born May 4, 1997) is an American politician in Minnesota. She is the senator for the 63rd district of the Minnesota State Senate, comprising southeast Minneapolis and parts of Richfield.[3]
Early life and education
Zaynab immigrated with her family at age nine from Somalia to the southside of Minneapolis, in the Powderhorn neighborhood, where she grew up.[4][5] In 2019, she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Human Resources.[6][7]
Career
Pre-campaign political activity
Zaynab interned for Ayada Leads, a non-profit that seeks to support Black immigrant women in political participation.[7][8] While working as a community advocacy manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota, she advocated for legislation relating to public safety reform, including no-knock warrants.[9] In January 2022, she began working as a policy aide for Jason Chavez, a councilmember in the City of Minneapolis.[10]
Minnesota State Senate
Patricia Torres Ray, the incumbent candidate for District 63, opted not to run for re-election. Zaynab, after having conversations with Patricia and other organizers, decided to enter the race, and was ultimately endorsed by Patricia.[6][2]
The main themes of her campaign were a statewide $15 minimum wage, universal health care, and public safety.[10]
After defeating Todd Scott in the primary election and becoming the DFL candidate, she went on to win the 2022 general election against Republican nominee Shawn Holster.[11][12]
Zaynab joined other Black women in being the first to be elected to the Minnesota Senate.[13] She is also the youngest woman to elected to serve in the legislature.[9]
References
- ^ Mohamed, Zaynab. "Zaynab Mohamed on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ a b ELDRED, SHEILA MULROONEY (August 9, 2022). "Zaynab Mohamed wins DFL primary, moving closer to historic seat". Sahan Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Hoff, Jennifer (August 11, 2022). "The MN political candidates breaking barriers and becoming firsts". KARE 11. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Home | Zaynab Mohamed for Minnesota State Senate". Zaynab Mohamed for Minnesota State Senate. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Brooke (November 8, 2022). "Somali immigrant wants to help bring Democratic majority to Minnesota senate". The New Arab.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Ansari, Hibah (December 1, 2021). "Community organizer Zaynab Mohamed hopes to make history as first Black woman elected to Minnesota state Senate". Sahan Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Our Team | Ayada Leads". Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ Breen, Camilla; Findlay, Ashley (June 25, 2022). "Vote Run Lead Event: Preparing Women for Politics". Minnesota Women's Press. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Simba, Cynthia (February 17, 2022). "Meet Zaynab Mohamed, the Somali American woman running for Minnesota State Senate". Mshale | The African Community Newspaper. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ a b Ansari, Hibah (March 25, 2022). "Zaynab Mohamed targets health care, minimum wage, and public safety in run for state Senate". Sahan Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Index - Election Results". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ Ansari, Hibah (November 9, 2022). "Zaynab Mohamed makes history as youngest woman elected to Minnesota Senate". Sahan Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2022.