Ilhan Omar elected first Somali-American legislator in the US

Ilhan Omar, a Democrat and former refugee, made history after winning a state House race in Minneapolis and becoming the first Somali-American Muslim woman in the US to be a legislator, US media reported.

Omar faced little Republican opposition, local daily the Star Tribune reported, yet some believe that the 34-year-old’s win is “huge.”

“I am excited for our progressive values and to be able to be on the ground at the Capitol representing the diverse people of my district and being a champion with them and for them.” Omar told the daily Star Tribune.

Omar came to the United States after escaping the Somali civil war with her family and spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp.

The newly elected senate is also the director of policy at Women Organizing Women Network, an organization dedicated to pushing East African women in to positions of civic leadership.