Kenyan-American Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley has made history by winning a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
She secured a decisive victory in the race for Minnesota House District 38A, garnering 65% of the vote against her Republican opponent, Brad Olson.
This achievement marks her as the first Kenyan-born person ever elected to a state legislature in the United States.
Momanyi ran as a Democrat and will represent the communities of southwestern Brooklyn Park and Osseo.
District 38A is notably diverse, with about 66% of residents identifying as people of color, including many African immigrants.
Early life
Momanyi was born in Nyamira County, Kenya, in 1985 and moved to the United States at the age of nine.
She pursued her education at Bethel University, where she earned three bachelor’s degrees in international business, international relations, and reconciliation studies.
Following her undergraduate studies, Momanyi completed a master’s degree in Global Business Management.
Political career
Momanyi’s political career has been marked by a rapid rise and a historic achievement.
She recently won a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 38A, which includes southwestern Brooklyn Park and Osseo.
Running as a candidate for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), which is the name of the Democratic Party in Minnesota, she secured a decisive victory, garnering 64.78% of the vote against her Republican opponent, Brad Olson.
This win makes Momanyi the first Kenyan-born person ever elected to a state legislature in the United States, marking a significant milestone for immigrant representation in American politics.
Prior to this successful campaign, she had run for a state Senate seat in District 40 during the 2022 elections.
However, due to redistricting, she found herself in a different district for the 2024 election.
Her political platform focused on key issues such as public safety, equitable housing, and healthcare access, which resonated with the diverse electorate in her district.
