A Kenyan-born candidate is poised to make history as the first Kenyan elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Huldah Momanyi, who moved to the U.S. nine years ago, is running for the Minnesota State Senate seat for District 38A on the Democratic ticket in the November elections.
Having won the Democratic primary, Huldah is now aiming for a historic win in the general election.
Her father was the first in their family to migrate to the U.S. in the 1980s from Magombo village in Nyamira. He was joined by her mother in the early 1990s, and Huldah and her siblings followed in 1995.
In the upcoming election, Huldah, who works as a data security manager, will compete against Republican candidate Brad Olsen.
During the primaries, Huldah’s campaign used data analysis led by Director of Data Mike Vogel and Ryan Jancik to target over 10,000 registered voters, resulting in her securing 51.28% of the vote. Her main rival, Wynfred Russell, received 48.72%.
With 1,005 votes to Russell’s 955, Huldah described her primary win as a step towards her ultimate goal in November.
In a local interview, Huldah, a mother of two, emphasized her commitment to public safety, equitable housing, and healthcare. She highlighted the importance of affordable childcare for working families.
“My district is the most diverse in Minnesota, and I want to ensure everyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, receives the healthcare they deserve,” she said.
