Zaynab Mohamed

Zaynab M. Mohamed (born May 4, 1997) is an American politician serving as a member of the Minnesota State Senate since 2023. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 63, comprising southeast Minneapolis and parts of Richfield.[2]

Zaynab Mohamed
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 63rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byPatricia Torres Ray
Personal details
Born (1997-05-04) May 4, 1997[1]
Somalia
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
EducationUniversity of Minnesota (BA)

Early life and education

Mohamed immigrated with her family at age nine from Somalia to Minneapolis's Powderhorn neighborhood, where she grew up.[3][4] In 2019, she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in human resources.[5][6]

Career

Pre-campaign political activity

Mohamed interned for Ayada Leads, a nonprofit that seeks to support Black immigrant women in political participation.[6][7] While working as a community advocacy manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota, she advocated for legislation relating to public safety reform, including no-knock warrants.[8] In January 2022, she began working as a policy aide to Jason Chavez, a Minneapolis City Council member.[9]

Minnesota State Senate

Patricia Torres Ray, the incumbent senator for District 63, did not run for reelection in 2022. After conversations with Torres Ray and other organizers, Mohamed entered the race, and was endorsed by Torres Ray.[5][10] The main themes of her campaign were a statewide $15 minimum wage, universal health care, and public safety.[9]

After defeating Todd Scott in the primary election to become the DFL nominee, Mohamed won the general election against Republican nominee Shawn Holster.[11][12]

Mohamed joined Erin Maye Quade and Clare Oumou Verbeten as the first Black women elected to the Minnesota Senate.[13] She is also the youngest woman ever elected to serve in the legislature.[8]

References
  1. Mohamed, Zaynab. "Zaynab Mohamed on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  2. Hoff, Jennifer (August 11, 2022). "The MN political candidates breaking barriers and becoming firsts". KARE 11. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  3. "Home | Zaynab Mohamed for Minnesota State Senate". Zaynab Mohamed for Minnesota State Senate. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  4. Anderson, Brooke (November 8, 2022). "Somali immigrant wants to help bring Democratic majority to Minnesota senate". The New Arab.
  5. Ansari, Hibah (December 1, 2021). "Community organizer Zaynab Mohamed hopes to make history as first Black woman elected to Minnesota state Senate". Sahan Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  6. "Our Team | Ayada Leads". Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  7. Breen, Camilla; Findlay, Ashley (June 25, 2022). "Vote Run Lead Event: Preparing Women for Politics". Minnesota Women's Press. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  8. Simba, Cynthia (February 17, 2022). "Meet Zaynab Mohamed, the Somali American woman running for Minnesota State Senate". Mshale | The African Community Newspaper. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  9. Ansari, Hibah (March 25, 2022). "Zaynab Mohamed targets health care, minimum wage, and public safety in run for state Senate". Sahan Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  10. ELDRED, SHEILA MULROONEY (August 9, 2022). "Zaynab Mohamed wins DFL primary, moving closer to historic seat". Sahan Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  11. "Index - Election Results". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  12. "Minnesota Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  13. Ansari, Hibah (November 9, 2022). "Zaynab Mohamed makes history as youngest woman elected to Minnesota Senate". Sahan Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2022.


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