By Ismail Auwal
American Muslims have made history in this year’s elections, with a record number of people contesting and a record number winning seats for the first time.
As results start to trickle in 5 Democrat’s candidates have made history by becoming the first Muslim state legislative lawmakers in Wisconsin, Florida and Delaware.
- Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar was born the youngest of seven siblings in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu in 1981. She lost her mother when she was just two years old.
Omar was raised bt her father and grandfather, the family fled the country during the Somali Civil War and spent four years in a Kenyan refugee camp before moving to the US in 1995.
2. Rachida Tlaib
Rachida Tlaib made history in 2008 by becoming the first Muslim woman to ever serve in the Michigan Legislature. She is beloved by residents for the transformative constituent services she provided, and for successfully fighting the billionaires and corporations that tried to pollute her district.
When families get to know Rashida, they have no doubt that she will work tirelessly to knock down barriers for real change, and whether by policy or action, she will roll up her sleeves to make sure her residents are cared for, no matter how big the challenge.
Tlaib was re-elected as Congresswoman for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.
3. Christopher Benjamin
Christopher Benjamin studied Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration and he is an alumni of St. Thomas University School of Law: Juris Doctorate.
He is elected a member of the House of Representatives, Florida, and the first elected to any state office in the Sunshine State.
4. Iman Jodeh
Iman Jodeh parents, Mohamad and Siham, came to Colorado from Palestine as immigrants and refugees in 1974, looking for the American Dream, for safety, opportunity, and freedom. And they found it.
For over five decades, her parents worked hard, starting a small business, growing that business then starting another and then another while also starting a family, growing their businesses as they grew their family.
And they did all of that while embodying love, community, and service.
Jodeh Grew up in Aurora, went through the Cherry Creek School system, going to Ponderosa Elementary then Prairie Middle School then Overland High School. He played sports, visited the mountains, and watched the Broncos on Sundays.
Jodeh is the First Muslim lawmaker in the history of Colorado.
5. Madinah Wilson-Anton
Madinah Wilson-Anton: was born in Newark, Delaware. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in 2016.
Wilson-Anton’s career experience includes working as a policy analyst at the Biden Institute and as a staff manager for the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware.
She also worked as a legislative aid and fellow at the Delaware House of Representatives and as a legislative fellow at the Delaware Senate
She becomes a member of the House of Representatives, Delaware and the first Muslim elected to the legislature
6. Mauree Turner
Mauree Turner: Is an Oklahoma community organizer, born and raised in a Muslim and baptist family, she was the immediate past Regional Field Director for the Campaign for Smart Justice, an ACLU campaign focusing on criminal justice reform, and its many intersections.
Her life’s works is geared towards fighting for and maintaining the civil rights and liberties for all who enter America. In elementary school, if she was missing class it was because she was at an HIV/AIDS Awareness or LGBTQ+ advocacy conference with her mother.
She grew up believing in the power and duty she had to change the world for the better. Mauree has also worked with the NAACP of Oklahoma, Freedom Oklahoma, CAIR OK, and a number of community based and student lead groups working in and researching the intersections of racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, religious freedom, reproductive rights – just to name a few. Working with these organizations, she has researched the history of the criminal justice system and what it does to communities of color, and Black Womxn especially, and she is just getting started.
Turner is the first Muslim lawmaker elected to the House of Representatives, Oklahoma
7. Samba Baldeh
Samba Baldeh studied information technology at Madison Area Technical College.
Baldeh’s professional experience includes work in international youth development and as a partner in an IT consulting business.
He is first muslim member, and Black man, to represent the House of Representatives, Wisconsin
