Somalilandsun: There is a candidate looking to make history in the Democratic primary for Ohio’s 25th House district, and this Mohamud Jama, a former refugee who is looking to become the first Somali-American to win elected office in Ohio. Reports abc6onyourside
Jama spent nearly nine years as a refugee in Kenya before immigrating to the United States.
“We knew we had nothing,” Jama said. “We were penniless but you know we had that feeling America is the land of opportunity.”
Now, he is a small business owner running in the crowded primary to represent his community in the Ohio Statehouse.
“This would be historic,” he said. “It’s very important for the community and my goal is to not just represent that community, it’s to be a representative for all people in District 25.”
Ohio’s 25th House district includes the Northeast part of Columbus and is currently occupied by Representative Bernadine Kennedy Kent (D). Kent will not be seeking re-election, giving Jama an opening to potentially win an open seat.
“I’ve been waiting for this for almost a year, planning for a year, working hard and starting to see people coming out and voting for me makes me happy,” he said.
Early voting started on Wednesday and will continue until March 16th. Ohio’s primary will be March 17th.
Ohio’s 25th House district includes the Northeast part of Columbus and is currently occupied by Representative Bernadine Kennedy Kent (D). (WSYX/WTTE)
