Kenyan-born Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley wins Minnesota seat in US election
What you need to know:
- Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley becomes the first immigrant to be elected to the state legislature position.
- Her victory over Republican Brad Olson brought joy to his supporters in the US and back at home, Kenya.
Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley has become the first ever Kenyan-born to win the Minnesota House of Representatives in the concluded US elections.
Ms Hiltsley, who was vying for the seat as a Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, rewrites history in the US as the first Kenyan immigrant to be elected to the state legislature position, where she will represent District 38A.
Her victory over Republican Brad Olson brought joy to his supporters not only in the US but also back at home, Kenya.
She is the daughter to Philip and Tabitha Momanyi, who was among the first generation Kenyan immigrants.
Her family has been in the US for more than 20 years, residing in Minnesota and the Brooklyns as their home.
“I graduated from Cooper High School and earned three Bachelor degrees and an MBA all from Bethel University. I have built a career in data privacy and data protection, while my true passion has been organizing within the community to meet the needs of all residents,” Ms Hiltsley said in her campaign website.
During her interview with Voice of America's before election, Ms Hiltsley said that she was sonly 9 when her family relocated to the US.
Ms Hiltsley also said she still keeps in touch with Kenyan politics though her issue is the style of Kenyan politics, where money talks and influences the outcome.
"I do pay attention to how Kenyan politics are run. The biggest difference between running in the US and Kenya is how the candidates approach the voters. Kenya, we know how it is, it's a matter of unfortunately buying votes, and that's something that Kenya has to work on and address,” she said during the interview.
Married to Bart Hiltsley, and a mother to Jaydah Rae and Jordan Philip, the young woman now joins the record book among Kenyans who dominated politics in the international stage.
She explained that her father moved to the US as a student in the early 80s, which was no walk in the park as he was almost deported.
“For 11 years, he fought within our challenging immigration system, eventually facing imminent deportation. With only 48 hours remaining, a coalition of churches petitioned Senator Paul Wellstone who stepped in and lobbied on my family’s behalf. At the last moment, the court overturned the deportation order,” she wrote.
In Kenya, Minnesota is a common state among citizens, mostly among the Kisii community who are known for preferring moving to the state whenever they get the opportunity.
