Nadia Mohamed, a 26-year-old former Somali refugee, has registered her name in U.S. history books by becoming the first Black, Muslim, and Somali to be elected the mayor of St. Louis Park.
Not only that, but she is also the youngest ever to be elected to this position, securing nearly 59% of the votes in a historic win over her opponent, Dale A. Anderson.
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Campaigning on a platform of inclusivity and accountability, Mohamed expressed her gratitude and the significance of her win.
“This means that we get the representation that we so deserve,” she stated. “It feels amazing to be the mayor of a city in which I immigrated to 18 years ago.”
Nadia Mohamed, 27 year old from Somalia, was elected mayor in St. Louis Park, MN (Minneapolis).
38% of Minneapolis’s Jewish population lives in St. Louis Park.
— SULLY🇺🇸 (@SULLY10X) November 8, 2023
Before her mayoral victory, Mohamed served on the St. Louis Park City Council, where she was elected in 2019 at the age of 23, making her the youngest council member in the city’s 170-year history.
Speaking about her journey, Mohamed highlighted the importance of breaking barriers. “We are coming to a chapter of America where we make the impossible happen. We get representation everywhere – whether we are Somalis, Black Americans, African Americans, Latinx, or whatever it may be.”
St. Louis Park, with a population of around 50,000, has seen a growing diversity over the past two decades, with people of color now comprising 20% of the population. Mohamed’s victory resonates not only as a personal achievement but also as a symbol of hope and progress for the community.
![Nadia Mohammed, 26, speaks to Somali Americans after she won a historic vote as St. Louis Park's first Black, Muslim, Mayor in the U.S. midwestern state of Minnesota on Tuesday November 7, 2023. [Photo/VOA]](https://news.switchtv.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/01000000-c0a8-0242-884b-08dbe0705caa_w650_r1_s.webp)
Addressing concerns about her age, Mohamed emphasized the value of youth engagement in civic duties. “Age doesn’t necessarily mean wisdom,” she stated. “We need the younger generation like Gen Z and younger millennials coming out and being present in our civic duties and engagements.”
Housing affordability emerged as a key concern during Mohamed’s campaign, with plans to address the issue at the forefront of her mayoral agenda.
“The big thing people are concerned about is the unaffordability of St. Louis Park homes,” she explained. “Even homeowners themselves are saying, ‘I can’t afford to live in this house right now.'”
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Jake Spano, the outgoing mayor, expressed confidence in Mohamed’s abilities, endorsing her candidacy and paving the way for a new era in St. Louis Park. “I’m confident that Nadia will continue to lead our city with dedication and a commitment to the diverse voices that make up our community,” he remarked.
Mohamed is set to be sworn into office in January 2024, succeeding Spano.
