Screenshot / YouTube ReerJSL, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Democratic Ohio Representative Ismail Mohamed, a Somali immigrant, secured victory in the Democratic primary for Ohio’s 3rd House District on Tuesday night, delivering a significant portion of his victory speech in Somali.

Mohamed, the incumbent representative in the district, triumphed over fellow Somali immigrant Abdirizak Diini, garnering 55 percent of the vote compared to Diini’s 33 percent, as reported by the Columbus Dispatch.

During his campaign, Mohamed prioritized advocacy for Columbus's substantial Somali community, which numbers around 75,000, making it the second-largest Somali population center in the United States.

Active engagement with the Somali community marked Mohamed's campaign strategy, including appearances on a Somali-owned state television network as part of his outreach efforts, where he articulated his intentions to advocate for his home country.

His policy priorities encompass funding for affordable housing and education.

Speaking to the Dispatch, Mohamed expressed his commitment to championing equitable policies for the betterment of all residents across the district and the state.

In 2022, the 31-year-old lawyer from Columbus made history by becoming Ohio's first Somali lawmaker, alongside Munira Abdullahi, who also clinched victory in Ohio's 9th district during the same year. Mohamed notably secured approximately 80 percent of the vote during that race.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who has repeatedly leveraged her position to advocate for her native country, is the most prominent American Somali figure. In January, Omar gave a speech where she pledged allegiance to Somalia and admitted to safeguarding Somali interests within the U.S. system.

“Sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the U.S. system,” Omar said. “The woman you sent to Congress is working day and night to protect your interests. She knows your plight and that of Somalia. I am as concerned about Somalia as you guys are. Together, we will protect the interests of Somalia.”

Omar's comments garnered widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, including from politicians within Somalia who accused her of exacerbating ethnic tensions in the troubled African nation.