Local Candidates Aim to Become First Black Women in Minnesota Senate
Huldah Hiltsley didn’t set out to potentially make history. But come November, Hiltsley could become the first Black woman ever elected to the Minnesota Senate.
“Can you imagine, 164 years, and we’ve never had a Black woman into our Senate,” said Hiltsley.
The 21-year Brooklyn Center resident was seeking the DFL nomination for Senate District 38. No endorsement was given at a recent DFL endorsing convention.
Hiltsley will run in an August primary against Brooklyn Park City Council member Susan Pha, the first person of color ever elected to serve on the council in that city.
In addition, Maple Grove resident Farhio Khalif, a Somali refugee and community activist, won the DFL endorsement this past weekend for the newly redrawn Senate District 37. She is expected to face longtime Republican Sen. Warren Limmer.
Experts say this new wave of political candidates shows women of color are not content to be on the sidelines anymore.
“It will also shift completely how we look at politics, how we look at institutional barriers that may exist, but then also systemic barriers that may exist where women have not always been at the table,” said Nerita Hughes, academic dean with North Hennepin Community College.
Hiltsley says she’s proud to be a part of our changing political landscape.
“There’s excitement, there’s energy, there’s momentum around that,” said Hiltsley.
Huldah Hiltsley
CCX News Executive Producer Corey Bork contributed to this report.
