Huldah Hiltsley has made history by securing a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She is the first Kenyan-born immigrant to be elected to any state legislature in the United States.
Huldah, born in Nyamira County in 1985, moved to the U.S. with her family at the age of 9. She attended Bethel University in Minnesota, where she earned three Bachelor’s degrees in international business, international relations, and reconciliation studies, followed by a Master’s degree.
Running for District 38A under the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, Huldah won with 64.78% of the vote.
District 38A includes parts of Brooklyn Park and Osseo, areas known for their diverse populations, with many African immigrants.
“I don’t think I was expecting to do that well. 65%, that’s a big margin, right? That just goes to show you the work that my team has put into this race,” Huldah said in an interview with CCX News.
Her victory marks a historic moment. “That is history in the making. Not only the first Kenyan-American in the Minnesota Legislature, but the first Kenyan-born in the whole entire U.S. to be elected into office,” she added.
Huldah aims to focus on important issues such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, and creating economic opportunities for the diverse community she represents.
Huldah is married to Bart Hiltsley, an American, and is excited to represent her community in Minnesota’s House of Representatives.
