Somali-American Democrat Abdi Daisane Scores Minnesota Election Upset

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MINNESOTA: Somali-American Democrat Abdi Daisane has defeated Republican Mike Conway to win a seat in Minnesota’s House of Representatives, flipping a Republican-leaning district in central Minnesota.

Daisane secured 9,164 votes, or 51.6 per cent, against Conway’s 8,570 votes, according to unofficial results with all 18 precincts reporting early Wednesday.

The victory in District 14A marks a comeback for Daisane, a St. Cloud childcare centre owner who lost his first attempt to represent the district in 2024. He returned to the race this year and defeated Conway, president of the St. Cloud City Council.

The district covers parts of St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Joseph and St. Augusta. It had leaned Republican in recent elections, with President Donald Trump carrying the district in 2024.

The seat became vacant after Republican Bernie Perryman opted against seeking another House term and instead ran for the state Senate. Perryman lost that contest to Democratic incumbent Aric Putnam.

Daisane’s victory adds to the growing political representation of Somali Americans in Minnesota, which is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States.

He joins a growing group of Somali-American elected figures from the state, including Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who won a fifth term representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives.

Daisane’s win also marks a setback for Republicans in a closely contested area, as both parties sought control of the Minnesota Legislature in the November 3 elections.