Huldah Momanyi, a Kenya-born politician, has the potential to become the first Kenyan elected to the United States House of Representatives.
Momanyi is running for the Minnesota Senate District 38A seat, emphasizing African immigrants’ rising participation in American politics—a great accomplishment worth celebrating.
Born in the small community of Magombo in Kenya’s Nyamira County, her family moved to the United States in the mid-1990s after her father left in the 1980s.
After nearly a decade in the United States, Momanyi has developed as a serious candidate for the November elections. She won the Democratic Party primary with 51.28% of the vote, defeating challenger Wynfred Russell.
According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, Momanyi won 1,005 votes, whereas Russell received 955, highlighting her appeal in a generally Democratic state.
Her campaign used a data-driven strategy. Her team, led by Data Director Mike Vogel and analyst Ryan Jancik, methodically examined voter profiles and interacted with over 10,000 registered voters around the district. This method, paired with grassroots canvassing and phone banks, was critical to her primary win.
As she prepares for the main election, Momanyi intends to address concerns like as safety, equal housing, and access to healthcare. Her dedication to representing Minnesota’s most diverse district is demonstrated by her promises to lobby for legislation that prioritizes the well-being of all residents, regardless of ethnicity or financial level.
Momanyi’s policy approach is pragmatic, emphasizing the link between public safety and economic growth. “When we take care of public safety, businesses thrive, and families feel secure,” she told the crowd.
As a mother of two, Momanyi understands the difficulties that working families endure, particularly in finding cheap childcare. With direct experience, she is determined to create helpful conditions for families juggling work and family life.
Her candidacy extends beyond her particular campaign and reflects a bigger trend in American politics, where immigrant voices are increasingly shaping conversations about diversity and representation.