Somali refugee helps makes history with U.S. midterm election win

Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar is greeted by her husband’s mother after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Mille

One-time Somali refugee Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, has been elected into the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ms. Omar, 36, migrated to the U.S. as a teenager.

She easily beat Republican Jennifer Zielinski to win a seat to represent Minnesota. Ms. Omar will take over Keith Ellison’s seat. Mr. Ellison vacated the seat to run for Minnesota Attorney General.

Omar said President Trump’s “politics of fear” motivated her to get in the race.

“It is a district that is very much interested in making sure our progressive values are represented, and they know the only way they’ll continue to be represented is if we have people who are not going to just think about getting themselves to Washington, but think about getting other progressives to Washington.”

Democratic U.S. congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib reacts after appearing at her midterm election night party in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

Ms. Omar and Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib have become the first two Muslim congresswomen to be elected to Congress.  Tlaib replaces disgraced Rep. John Conyers, who resigned after sexual misconduct allegations.

CGTN