Rashida Tlaib is projected to be the first Muslim American woman in Congress after winning Tuesday’s primary race in Michigan, reports The New York Times.
Tlaib, daughter to Palestinian immigrants, beat out Brenda Jones for the Democratic spot on the November election ballot. If she wins this fall, she’ll succeed Representative John Conyers Jr. in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.
“I want people across the country to know that you don’t need to sell out,” Tlaib said Wednesday. “You don’t have to change who you are to run for office — and that is what this country is about.”
While she won’t be facing a Republican opponent in November, a write-in candidate can still oppose her, but she’s the favorite to win in the typically Democratic district, reports CNN.
Tlaib is one of more than 90 Muslim Americans running for office in 2018.
“Rashida is the perfect example of how to hustle and win the right way, not just for Muslims or Arabs, but for anyone who ever felt the system was too stacked against them and had no place for a face like theirs,” said Zaki Barzinji, the White House liaison to Muslim American communities under former President Obama.
“She may be the first Muslim congresswoman, but she just opened the door for millions of Rashidas to follow,” Barzinji added. “As a Muslim and Arab father of a 9-month-old baby girl, I’ve never felt more hopeful about my daughter’s future.”
Tlaib’s goals include adding new protections and provisions to the Civil Rights Act, Medicare for all, and a $15 minimum wage nationwide, according to NPR.
Tlaib has been outspoken about her opposition to President Donald Trump. She referred to his election as the “bat signal” that pushed many progressive women to run for office. Tlaib was arrested in 2016 for disrupting a Trump speech, shouting at him that “our kids deserve better.”
“I will fight back against every racist and oppressive structure that needs to be dismantled,” Tlaib said. “You deserve better than what we have today with our president.”
Former Rep. John Conyers Jr. resigned in December amidst sexual harassment allegations, though citing health reasons.
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