A 24-years old Zaynab Mohamed is a community advocate with the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. She is hoping to become the youngest woman elected to the Minnesota senate after she announced her plan to run in the election to take the place of retiring State Senator Patricia Torres Ray.
Zaynab is the first person to announce her candidacy for the seat. She is going to represent parts of south Minneapolis and Richfield since Torres Ray declared last month that she has decided not to run for reelection. Earlier, Torres Ray made history in 2006 by becoming the first Latina to serve in the Minnesota Senate. She has served five terms in Senate District 63.
Now Zaynab could become the first Black woman to join the state Senate if elected. Not only this but also, she would be the youngest woman elected to the Minnesota Senate. Presently, Zaynab is younger than any lawmaker currently serving in the state Senate. She took to Twitter and announced her candidacy for the seat.
She stated in a video message that she has heard from many people that she should have served in the Minnesota State Legislature. So, she has decided to consider the request of all and is running for the Minnesota state senate currently known as Senate District 63. She disclosed that she admired Torres Ray who represents Black, Brown, Indigenous and working community and now she is inspired by her legacy.
She stated that she has decided to run to become first-ever Black and Muslim woman in Minnesota State. She added that she is running with the understanding that being the first means it is her responsibility to push for a more equitable Minnesota where all Black, Brown people have room to prosper.