MICHIGAN (US): Rashida Tlaib is ready to turn out to be the first Muslim woman elected to US Congress, after her clear victory in Democratic primary election in the US state of Michigan.
Rashida, a 42 year old, is daughter of Palestinian immigrants. She won Tuesday’s primary elections in the state’s 13th congressional district, locking 33.6% of the votes, comparatively to Brenda Jones who has received 28.5% contrary to her. Whereas Bill Wild received 14.5% percent of the votes.
It is observed that no republicans or third-party candidates were allowed to enter the primary, and Tlaib is all set to win the seat in November’s election for a two year term, starting in January 2019.
Meanwhile, she is running to serve out the last two months of John Conyers’ term, who stepped down in December due to health reasons amongst allegations of sexual harassment too.
According to sources, that special election is still too close to call, Tlaib and her opponent, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, were in a dead heat. The winner of the race will also run unopposed in November’s election and will serve out the last two months of Conyers’ term.
“Thank you so much for making this unbelievable moment possible. I am at a loss for words. I cannot wait to serve you in Congress,” she wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
Thank you so much for making this unbelievable moment possible. I am at a loss for words. I cannot wait to serve you in Congress.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 8, 2018
Furthermore, in 2006, Keith Ellison, a Democrat from Minnesota, became the first Muslim elected in US Congress. He is currently running for attorney general in his home state.
Andre Carson, a Democratic representative from Indiana, was the second Muslim to serve in Congress, he was elected in 2008.
Tlaib’s win is an inspiration for women and minorities, to come up and join hands for a better future.
According to details it is observed, there were records broken in terms of the number of women that were successful in these primaries, at least 11 women will now be running for governor in November and at least 182 women will be running for the House of Representatives.
According to an organization helping Muslim-Americans run for political office stated, “The 2018 midterm elections have seen a record number of Muslims around 90 are running for political office since the September 11, 2001 attacks.” Other Muslims running include Ilhan Omar in Minnesota and Sameena Mustafa in Illinois.
