Democratic Ohio Representative Ismail Mohamed, a Somali immigrant, emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Ohio’s 3rd House District on Tuesday night. He delivered his victory speech predominantly in Somali.
Mohamed, the incumbent in the district, secured a decisive win over fellow Somali immigrant Abdirizak Diini, garnering 55 percent of the vote compared to Diini’s 33 percent, as reported by the Columbus Dispatch.
At 31 years old, Mohamed, a Columbus-based attorney, made history as Ohio’s first Somali lawmaker in 2022, alongside Munira Abdullahi, who clinched victory in Ohio’s 9th district during the same year.
Democrats (Credits: The Burning Platform)
Having fled the violence in his native Somalia and sought refuge in Kenya before arriving in the United States in 2005, Mohamed’s journey reflects the immigrant experience. In a 2022 interview with Spectrum News, he shared his personal story of resilience and determination.
Throughout his campaign, Mohamed strongly emphasized representing the significant Somali population in his district, which boasts over 45,000 Somalis, second only to the district represented by fellow Somali refugee Ilhan Omar in Minnesota.
He actively engaged with his community, even utilizing a Somali-owned state television network for his campaign outreach.
Democrats (Credits: Ohio Capital Journal)
Although Mohamed faced defeat in his previous bid for office in 2018, falling short to then-incumbent Democratic Representative Bernadine Kennedy Kent by a narrow margin of 658 votes, his 2022 election victory marked a landslide triumph. According to reports from the Dispatch, he secured approximately 80 percent of the vote.
Mohamed’s policy agenda prioritizes crucial issues such as affordable housing and education. Expressing his commitment to advocating for equitable policies, he stated, “I want to use my voice to fight for equitable policies, all in the pursuit of a brighter future for every resident across the district and state,” as quoted by the Dispatch.
As Mohamed prepares to serve his constituents in the Ohio State House, his victory represents a significant milestone for the Somali community in Ohio. It underscores the importance of diverse representation in government.
