Somali activist wins Minneapolis district Democratic primary

MINNEAPOLIS – A Somali activist could become the first Somali-American lawmaker in the nation after unseating one of the Minnesota Legislature’s longest-serving members in a Democratic primary.

Ilhan (ILL’-hahn) Omar defeated 22-term Rep. Phyllis Kahn in Tuesday’s nominating contest in the heavily Democratic Minneapolis district.

The district spans the University of Minnesota and is home to a large population of immigrants from Somalia and other East African countries. Omar argued that the district needs a fresher face that better represents the diversity and needs of the area.

Omar is a political activist and former aide to the Minneapolis City Council.

Kahn has spent 44 years in the Legislature.