Kenyan-born American candidate Huldah Hiltsley is poised to make history as she vies for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Running under the Democratic Party banner in District 38A, Hiltsley aims to become the first Kenyan-born immigrant elected to any state legislature in the United States. Hiltsley’s journey from Nyamira County, Kenya to the political arena in Minnesota is a testament to her resilience and determination. In an interview, she highlights the stark differences between running for political office in Kenya and the United States. She notes that in Kenya, voters are often paid to support particular candidates, whereas in the US, candidates must convince voters to back them based on their agenda.
Hiltsley emphasizes the importance of direct voter engagement in the US, where candidates go door-to-door to communicate their message and earn votes. Born in 1985 to Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Tabitha Momanyi, Huldah moved to the US with her family when she was nine years old. She attained a Master’s degree from Bethel University, Minnesota, and has been actively involved in her community ever since. Despite the challenges of being an immigrant and a woman of colour, Hiltsley is confident that her strong campaign team has sacrificed enough to propel her to power.
If elected, Hiltsley will be making history as the first immigrant elected to any state legislature in the United States. Her campaign focuses on addressing key issues such as safety, equitable housing, and accessible healthcare, with a commitment to representing Minnesota’s most diverse district. As a mother of two, Hiltsley understands the challenges working families face, particularly in securing affordable childcare, and she is determined to create supportive environments for families.
Hiltsley’s campaign has employed a data-driven strategy, guided by her Data Director and analyst. This approach, combined with grassroots canvassing and phone banks, was instrumental in her primary success, where she secured 51.3% of the vote against her competitor Wynfred Russell.
