Huldah Hiltsley Momanyi, a Kenyan-American from Nyamira County, has made history by winning a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
In doing so, she becomes the first Kenyan-born politician to hold office in the United States.
Running as a candidate for the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party, Momanyi secured 64.78% of the vote, receiving 10,005 votes. Her opponent, Republican Brad Olson, garnered 34.95% of the vote.
Upon her victory, the 39-year-old Momanyi expressed her gratitude to voters and promised to be a voice for positive change in her community.
“It doesn’t feel real. I didn’t expect to do this well—65% is a huge margin. It’s a testament to the hard work my team and I put into this campaign,” she told reporters.
“This is history in the making,” she continued. “I’m not only the first Kenyan-American elected to the Minnesota Legislature, but I’m also the first Kenyan-born individual in the entire U.S. to be elected into office.”
Momanyi will now represent the districts of Southwestern Brooklyn Park and Osseo in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Born in Nyamira County, Kenya, Momanyi’s family moved to the United States when she was nine years old. She later pursued higher education at Bethel University, earning three Bachelor’s degrees in International Business, International Relations, and Reconciliation Studies. She also holds a Master’s degree in Global Business Management from the same institution.
Her groundbreaking victory underscores the growing influence of immigrants in U.S. politics and serves as a major milestone for the Kenyan diaspora.
