ST. LOUIS PARK – The residents of St. Louis Park in Minnesota have elected Nadiya Mohamed as their mayor, making her the first Muslim, Somali, and Black person to hold that position.

Nadiya has also become the first Somali-born person to win an election for the mayor of an American city.

“This is a milestone. This is not the destination,” said the mayor-elect, thanking her supporters Tuesday. “As mayor, I want to ensure people see themselves reflected in our policies.”

State Rep. Deqa Dhalac of South Portland, Maine, was the first Somali American to serve as mayor of an American city in 2021, but she was selected by that city’s six-member council rather than elected by the voters.

Nadiya received support from Jake Spano, the outgoing mayor of St. Louis Park, who announced his endorsement of her candidacy earlier this year.

Naadiya defeated Dale Anderson, a professor at the University of Minnesota, who had garnered more than 58% of the votes.

Nadiya was previously a member of the city’s council and has now become the youngest person to serve as the mayor of the city