Desmoines Register
Thursday June 29, 2017
Abshir Omar, a Somali refugee and Democratic Socialist, announced June 20 his campaign for Christine Hensley's Des Moines City Council seat.
The Ward III seat represents downtown and the city's southwest side.
Omar, a Des Moines resident since 2012, was born during the Somalian civil war, fled with his family to a refugee camp in Kenya and, after being approved for a refugee visa, settled in Seattle, according to a news release.
He attended Iowa State University and is president of the Iowa chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, the release states. He has also served on the United States Student Association board and as vice president and founder of the Renton Teacher Academy Foundation, it states.
The release notes Omar's goals of representing youth, seniors and diverse communities on the council, and ambitions "to help build a brighter future for people whether they are fleeing persecution or poverty."
"I want ensure that the city of Des Moines is prioritizing the needs of all its residents and not just the corporate establishment," it reads.
Hensley, a councilwoman of 24 years, announced in April that she won't run for re-election for the seat.
She is the longest-serving member of the council. Voters will elect a new council member Nov. 7.
Other candidates for the seat include environmental lawyer and lobbyist for the Environmental Law and Policy Center Josh Mandelbaum, former Des Moines City Councilman Michael Kiernan and Des Moines businessman Chris Draper.