Historic Win: Minnesota City Elects First Somali American Mayor in US

St. Louis Park, a suburb in Minnesota, made history by electing Nadia Mohamed, a Somali American, as its mayor. This marks the first time a Somali American has been elected to such a position in the United States. The 27-year-old Mohamed expressed her gratitude to her supporters and emphasized that this achievement is just the beginning.

“I see this as a milestone, not the final destination,” Mohamed stated. “As mayor, my goal is to ensure that our policies reflect the diversity and experiences of our community.”

With 58% of the vote, Mohamed emerged victorious over retired banker Dale A. Anderson, who received 41% of the vote. She had previously served on the City Council since her election at the age of 23 in 2019.

It is worth noting that Deqa Dhalac of South Portland, Maine, was the first Somali American to serve as mayor in an American city. However, she was selected by the city council, consisting of six members, in 2021, rather than being elected by the voters.

During her campaign, Mohamed advocated for investing in community policing and implementing programs to make homeownership more affordable, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Former Mayor Jake Spano, who did not seek reelection, endorsed Mohamed.

Reflecting on her own journey, Mohamed spoke about her mother’s experience of settling in St. Louis Park, which inspired her to pursue a career in politics at a young age.

“I have witnessed the daily courage of a strong woman,” Mohamed shared. “That courage has become a part of me.”

Correction: This article has been updated to clarify that St. Louis Park is a city, not a town.