Voters in central Minnesota made history on Tuesday, electing Abdi Daisane as the new representative for House District 14A. Daisane, a 38‑year‑old Somali‑American Democrat, captured 52% of the vote, flipping a seat that had been held by Republicans since at least 2002.
Local significance
The win marks the first time a Somali‑American will serve in the state legislature from the St. Cloud region, and it is the first Democratic victory in the modern era for this district. “It is an incredible victory because we flipped a seat,” Daisane said, adding that his election sends a broader message of inclusion. “I’m Somali‑American, I’m a Muslim, I’m Black, I’m an immigrant—those are the very things some politicians campaign against today.”
Changing demographics
St. Cloud has long struggled with a reputation for being unwelcoming, even earning the nickname “White Cloud.” Yet the city’s demographics are shifting. Somali residents now comprise about 8% of the population, the third‑largest share in the state after Minneapolis and St. Paul. Between 2010 and 2020, the share of residents who identify as Hispanic or non‑white doubled to 32%, according to census data.
District overview
District 14A includes parts of St. Cloud and the neighboring communities of St. Joseph, Waite Park, and St. Augusta. In the same election cycle, Democrats also secured House District 14B (Zach Dorholt) and retained Senate District 14 (Aric Putnam). Political science professor Pedro dos Santos called the outcome “historic on two levels—first Somali‑American from the area and first time this district has gone Democratic in the modern era.”
Daisane’s background
Daisane was born during Somalia’s civil war and spent 18 years in a refugee camp in Kenya before moving to Nebraska. He arrived in St. Cloud in 2013 to attend St. Cloud State University, earning a bachelor’s in international relations and a master’s in public administration. Since then, he has opened a child‑care business and provided consulting services to fellow entrepreneurs.
Path to victory
He previously ran for the same seat in 2024, losing to incumbent Bernie Perryman with about 44% of the vote. Political science professor Matt Lindstrom noted that running multiple times often builds name recognition and a volunteer base, both of which helped Daisane this cycle. Additionally, the seat was open because Perryman pursued a Senate run, removing the usual incumbent advantage.
Opponent’s reaction
Mike Conway, president of the St. Cloud City Council and Daisane’s Republican opponent, called the results “disappointing” and expressed concern about the new Democratic majority in the Legislature. He urged Governor Tina Smith to keep her promise not to raise taxes, though he questioned whether her caucus would allow it.
Broader political context
While President Donald Trump was not on the ballot, analysts said national trends may have influenced turnout. Concerns over recent ICE enforcement actions in Minnesota and targeted political messaging toward Somali communities likely energized Democratic and independent voters. Lindstrom described the election as a “referendum on the party in power,” noting a lower turnout compared with the 2024 presidential election—67% of registered voters cast ballots versus 80% in that cycle—but Daisane still added roughly 700 votes to his 2024 total.
Looking ahead
With his victory, Daisane joins a more diverse Minnesota Legislature and will represent a district that has shifted demographically and politically. He framed his win as a statement against division, emphasizing that belonging should not be defined by religion, ethnicity, or birthplace.
Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.
