Hamida Dakane | |
|---|---|
| Member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from the 10th district | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Chuck Damschen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1989 (age 34–35) Kenya |
| Political party | North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party |
| Education | North Dakota State University, University of Maryland |
| Occupation |
|
Hamida Dakane (born c. 1989) is a Kenyan-American politician who is the first Black and first Muslim person to serve in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. She was elected in 2022 as a Democrat to represent District 10 of the North Dakota House of Representatives, centered in Fargo.
Life and career
Born in northeastern Kenya circa 1989[1] and of Somali descent, Dakane moved to the United States in 2011 on a student visa to attend North Dakota State University. She chaired the NDSU Black Student Association while studying for her bachelor's degree in emergency management and international studies. She stayed in the United States to work as a community organizer after graduation. She first ran for political office in 2020, unsuccessfully seeking to represent District 16 in the North Dakota House of Representatives.[2]
In November 2022, Dakane was elected to represent House District 10 for a two-year term from December 1, 2022, to December 1, 2024.[2] She represents the district alongside Rep. Steve Swiontek, a Republican. During North Dakota's 2023 legislative session, Dakane served on the Industry, Business and Labor and the Transportation standing committtees and held interim appointments on the Workforce and the Agricultural and Natural Resources standing committees. Dakane and fellow state senator Kathy Hogan have sponsored mental health, childcare, and workforce development bills, most of which have been voted down by the overwhelmingly Republican state legislature.[3][4]
Dakane holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Maryland. In 2018, she was appointed to serve on the Fargo Human Relations Commission. She has received the Human Rights MLK Award from the City of Fargo and been named Woman of the Year by the Fargo YWCA.[2][4]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ben Koppelman | 5,434 | 29.28 | |
| Republican | Andrew Marschall | 4,782 | 25.77 | |
| Democratic–NPL | Tracey L. Wilkie | 4,448 | 23.97 | |
| Democratic–NPL | Hamida Dakane | 3,869 | 20.85 | |
| Write-in | 23 | 0.12 | ||
| Total votes | 18,556 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Swiontek | 1,687 | 40.03 | |
| Democratic–NPL | Hamida Dakane | 1,343 | 31.87 | |
| Democratic–NPL | Damian Ridl | 1,153 | 27.36 | |
| Write-in | 31 | 0.74 | ||
| Total votes | 4,214 | 100.00 | ||
References
- ↑ Glass-Moore, Adrian (May 17, 2016). "Refugees, health officials dispute report suggesting refugees carry TB risk". The Dickinson Press. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Ebuka, Ben (December 27, 2022). "8 things to know about Hamida Dakane, the first Somali woman elected into North Dakota State House of Representatives". Hiiraan Online. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ↑ Thompson, Dave (May 2, 2023). "First Muslim elected to the North Dakota Legislature said she enjoyed the experience". Prairie Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- 1 2 "Representative Hamida Dakane". North Dakota Legislative Branch. 2023. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ↑ "State Representative District 16". North Dakota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ↑ "State Representative Unexpired 2-Year Term District 10". North Dakota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.