Kenyan-American Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley has made history in the United States after sucessfully running for a House of Representatives seat in Minnesota.
Huldah, a Democrat, became the first state legislator of Kenyan heritage after beating her rival, Republican candidate Brad Olson, in the race for Minnesota House District 38A.
Her victory was decisive, as she secured 65% of the vote, with Olson only accruing 35% in a race that was expected to be closely contested.
Videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed what Huldah’s victory meant for her supporters, who eagerly monitored the results at a watch party in Brooklyn Park on Tuesday night.
Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley
Courtesy Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley
Huldah had a strong chance of securing victory as she was contesting in District 38A, which is known for its demographic diversity. According to data from the US Census Bureau, more than 30% of the population is black, while the Asian and Hispanic communities constitute 18% and 9% of the population of Senate District 38 A respectively.
Speaking after the victory, Huldah expressed her gratitude as she acknowledged her feat was almost inconceivable.
“I am excited, I cannot believe it. It is history in the making. We worked so hard to get to this point,” she said, noting that this victory was only the first step towards building a community that appreciated people from varying heritages.
She added: “We have an opportunity here to build bridges and foster a community that celebrates everyone’s heritage and potential.”
The mother of two’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Nyamira County in Kenya, her family relocated to the United States in the 1990s, years after Momanyi’s father initially migrated.
After nearly two decades in America, Momanyi decided to take a dive into politics. One of her initial ambitions was to become the first-ever black woman senator in the parliament of Minnesota.
In her political career, the 39-year-old has taken a pragmatic approach to issues and has always championed for legislation that prioritizes the well-being of all constituents, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.
A campaign poster bearing the image of Kenyan-American Huldah Momanyi.
PCS
