Abdelnasser Rashid

Abdelnasser Rashid is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 21st district. The district includes the Southwest Side and southwest suburbs.[1]

Rashid is the first Palestinian-American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly and is its first Muslim member, along with Nabeela Syed.[2]

Early life and education

Rashid was born in Chicago, Illinois.[3] He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.[4]

Career

Rashid worked on Chuy García's 2015 mayoral campaign and on Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign. He also served as deputy chief of staff to Cook County Clerk David Orr, for two years.[5]

In 2018, Rashid unsuccessfully ran for Cook County Commission. In 2020, he ran for Cook County Board of Review, also unsuccessfully.[3]

Rashid had been advised to change his name to "Nas" and downplay his background in order to appeal to voters with prejudices against Arabs or perceived foreigners.[3]

Electoral history
Illinois 21st Representative Democratic Primary, 2022[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Abdelnasser Rashid 4,214 52.3
Democratic Michael Zalewski 3,838 47.7
Total votes 22,059 100.0
Illinois 21st Representative District General Election, 2022[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Abdelnasser Rashid 14,800 65.9
Republican Matthew Schultz 7,644 34.1
Total votes 49,609 100.0

References
  1. "Editorial: Choices for the Illinois House primary: L. Jimenez, Peters, Rabbitt, Stoneback, LaPointe, Rashid". Chicago Tribune. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  2. "Asian Americans are making a big mark in Illinois politics". Chicago Sun-Times. 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  3. Kapos, Shia (15 July 2022). "A progressive bump in the burbs". POLITICO. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  4. "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". www.ilga.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  5. Dukmasova, Maya (2018-10-31). "Q&A: Cook County Board candidate Abdelnasser Rashid on taxes, surveillance, and campaign finance reform". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  6. "Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  7. "2022 Election Results". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
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