Saturday September 28, 2024
Minnesota House candidate Abdi Daisane, left, took a selfie with a supporter at a campaign event in July. Daisane is running for House District 14A, representing parts of St. Cloud, Waite Park and St. Augusta. Credit: Abdi Daisane
Minneapolis, USA (HOL) — Somali-born entrepreneur Abdi Daisane is vying to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Bernie Perryman in Minnesota's House District 14A, a race that could make him one of the few Somali-Americans to hold state legislative office in the United States.
Born during Somalia's civil war, Daisane spent nearly 20 years in Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp, one of the world's largest. In 2009, he resettled in the United States, seeking opportunities unimaginable in his homeland. By 2013, he had settled in St. Cloud, earned multiple degrees from St. Cloud State University, and founded Blooming Kids Child Care Center.
At a recent forum hosted by the League of Women Voters in St. Cloud, Daisane was the only candidate present among those running for Districts 14A and 14B. His opponent, Rep. Perryman, along with other candidates, cited prior commitments and did not attend. Addressing about 35 attendees, Daisane emphasized his commitment to the community.
"It speaks for itself ... I'm here tonight," he remarked.
He outlined his priorities: improving education, advocating for affordable housing, and fostering economic development. Drawing from his experience as a business owner and educator, Daisane stressed the importance of supporting everyone involved in education—from teachers to bus drivers and janitors.
"We really need to support our educators and all staff who contribute to our children's learning," he said. "They deserve the support to continue the wonderful job they do."
While Daisane has made strides in the community, his daycare center has faced violations from the Department of Human Services, including issues with staff documentation and equipment maintenance. Acknowledging these challenges, he focuses on his broader mission to serve the community.
"My No. 1 thing is access to resources and opportunities that help people transition to the next thing in their life," Daisane said. "Because personally I have seen how access to resourcnewses and support can transform lives."
Daisane also criticized Perryman's legislative record as "extremely ineffective," noting she failed to pass any bills during her term.
Rep. Bernie Perryman, 65, a business owner of Batteries Plus stores, is seeking reelection after a narrow victory in 2020, where she won by just over 1%—less than 200 votes. She cited a scheduling conflict for missing the voter forum and instead attended a Quiet Oaks Hospice House fundraiser, which her company sponsored.
Perryman defended her legislative efforts, attributing the lack of passed bills to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party's control of the House. "When you have a majority like they've had the last two years, many voices weren't heard," she said. "The last thing we can afford is two more years of full Democrat control in St. Paul."
She advocates for increased funding for St. Cloud Area School District 742 but wants fewer restrictions on how the money is used. "Schools need more flexibility with the taxpayer dollars they receive to best serve their students," Perryman said. "We owe it to our children to give them a chance to succeed in the classroom by ending the Democrats' total control of our state and regaining balance at the Capitol."
District 14A, encompassing Waite Park, St. Augusta, St. Joseph, and the south side of St. Cloud, could sway the majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The DFL currently holds a slim majority with 70 representatives to the Republicans' 64.
For Minnesota's sizable Somali community—the largest in the United States—Daisane's campaign is historic. If elected, he would join a growing number of Somali-Americans in public office, including U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, State Representatives Hodan Hassan and Mohamud Noor, and State Senator Omar Fateh.
"Representation matters," Daisane said. "When our government reflects the diversity of its people, it leads to better policies and a stronger community."
Daisane's campaign resonates with many who see in him a reflection of their own aspirations. His story speaks to the broader narrative of immigrant communities contributing to the fabric of American society.
As November 5 approaches, both candidates are intensifying their campaigns. Daisane continues to emphasize community engagement and bipartisan cooperation.
"Officials should use party as a vehicle to get (to office), not to just vote blankly (along party lines) on everything," he said. "We should still work together so we can accomplish things for people. We can deliver meaningful legislation and important things to Minnesotans, rather than doing things that are not really serving everyone."
Perryman focuses on her experience and aims to challenge what she sees as the DFL's "radical" agenda.
"The people in our state deserve better than for one party to ram an extreme, metro-centric agenda on all the people of our state while muzzling the rest of us out here," she said. "The last thing we can afford is two more years of full Democrat control in St. Paul."
Daisane's journey from a refugee camp to a potential state legislator embodies the evolving face of American politics. His campaign resonates with those who believe in the power of representation and the importance of diverse voices in government.
"When I get to St. Paul, my party affiliation isn't going to be at the top of my mind," Daisane said. "I want to deliver legislation that will help Minnesotans, and in order to do that, collaboration is necessary."