ST. CLOUD, November 6, 2026 — Abdi Daisane, a small-business owner, has made history by becoming the first Somali-American state legislator in St. Cloud, Minnesota, winning the House District 14A seat with 51.6% of the vote. This milestone marks a significant expansion of Somali-American representation in Minnesota politics.
Background And History
The Somali community in the US is among the largest in the Somali diaspora, with Minnesota, particularly the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, hosting the largest Somali community in the United States. According to Somali Americans, the first ethnic Somalis to arrive in the United States were sailors who came in the 1920s from British Somaliland, followed by students pursuing higher studies in the 1960s and 1970s. The largest number of Somalis arrived in the mid and late 1990s, after the civil war in Somalia.
Growth Of The Somali-American Electorate
Somali immigration to the US increased sharply after the 1990s civil war, creating a sizable diaspora in Minnesota. By 2002, Minnesota harbored the largest population of Somalis in North America. Many of the newer arrivals came through voluntary agencies contracted with the State Department, who helped them settle in. In 2006, Somalis in the state accounted for $164–$394 million in purchasing power and owned 600 businesses.
Impact On Policy And Community Representation
The election of Abdi Daisane and other Somali-American legislators, such as Ilhan Omar, Omar Fateh, and Zaynab Mohamed, signals growing political influence across the state. Daisane’s background as CEO of Blooming Kids Child Care Center ties his legislative role to issues of education and child services. As Somali Americans become a decisive bloc in several Minnesota districts, they are influencing party strategies. According to Reuters, nearly nine in 10 voters considered the cost of living a crucial or major factor in their decision.
Future Outlook
The victories of Somali-American legislators are more than electoral successes; they demonstrate a community that refused to be intimidated, silenced, or excluded. As Abdul El-Sayed, the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate, said, “Christians and Muslims and Jews all worship the same God.” This message challenges the notion that religious identity must become a dividing line in public life. The ultimate measure of these elections will be what those elected accomplish. By nightfall, the results had shown that Democrats had won control of both the House and Senate from Republicans, dealing President Donald Trump a major setback halfway through his second term. As of Wednesday morning, Democrats had 228 House seats and a 54-seat Senate majority, including two allied independents.
Sources
- Somali Americans
- Daisane elected St. Cloud’s first Somali American state lawmaker
- Ilhan Omar wins fifth term as Somali Americans make gains
- Somali daycare owner connected to fraud wins Minnesota election
- US election: those told they don't belong are now helping shape America
Photo: Mojnsen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
