By Adedeji Fathia Bamidele (Siwes student, Ogun State Institute of Technology Igbesa OGITECH)
Nadia Mohamed, 27, has secured victory in the mayoral race for St. Louis Park, Minnesota, becoming the city’s first Black mayor in 170 years.
Her win also marks her as the first Somali American mayor in Minnesota and the second Somali mayor in US history. Mohamed, who received 58% of the vote, emphasized the importance of inclusive policies in her role, stating, As mayor, I want to make sure people see themselves reflected in our policies.
Having immigrated to the US with her family as refugees at the age of 10, Mohamed’s journey includes a background in Human Resources from Metropolitan State University.
Notably, her community contributions earned her the city’s Human Rights Award in 2018. Elected to the city council in 2019 at the age of 23, she became its youngest-ever and first Muslim member.
Her 2023 mayoral campaign focused on community policing and affordable homeownership programs in a city with an 80% white population.
The outgoing mayor, Jake Spano, endorsed Mohamed, emphasizing shared values of problem-solving and belief in the community.
