Nadia Mohamed, a 27-year-old Somali woman who grew up in the Kakuma refugee camp, has been elected and sworn in as the mayor of St Louis Park in Minnesota.
Nadia, who was sworn in on Tuesday, January 2, at the St Louis Park City Council, made history by being the first Somali-American mayor elected in the United States.
Born in Somalia, Nadia migrated to Kenya as a refugee during the civil war. She lived in the Kakuma refugee camp until she was 10, when she immigrated to the US.
In a hotly contested election held in November 2023, Nadia was declared the winner, receiving 58.4 per cent of the votes (4,595 total), beating the other contestant who received 41.2 per cent of the votes (3,239 total).
While continuing to make history, the City Council also noted that the voter turnout recorded was the highest for a St. Louis Park municipal election since at least 1987.
In her celebratory post after the win, Nadia thanked the city, citing, “ I have no words tonight other than thank you! Thank you, St. Louis Park for placing your trust and faith in me”.
Despite the historic win, Nadia noted that the election and campaign were not without challenges, especially as a minority who was subjected to hate by some quarters.
Speaking to CNN, Nadia affirmed her awareness of her identity and the need to have representation.
“My heart goes out to all the people who are visible in their identities, who are being impacted by this type of violence and this type of disrespect,” she cited.
However, she has affirmed that she aims to have her work recognised and to be honoured for her story far more than her identity as a Black Indigenous Person of Colour.
Notably, this is not her first time making history in Minnesota as she served as a member of the City Council of St Louis Park, a seat she won at 23, becoming the youngest person, the first Muslim and the first Somali-American to serve in that body.
After her swearing-in, Nadia became the first Black Mayor in the city after 170 years in the predominantly White neighbourhood.
Nadia Mohamed walks in the footsteps of Deqa Dhalac, a Somali Mayor elected by the Municipal council in Portland, Maine.
