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Minnesota's political 'firsts' reflect many trends

There were a lot of "firsts" in Minnesota's midterm primary election Tuesday.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesotans set a lot of new precedents in Tuesday's midterm primary election.

Record turnout. Record early voting. And some "firsts" in the area of racial and ethnic diversity.

Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minneapolis, who became the first Somali refugee in the state legislature two year ago, won the DFL primary in the 5th Congressional District. And, considering CD 5 has gone to Democrats every election since 1962, Omar is on track to become the first Somali immigrant to serve in Congress.

"It’s weird that we still are looking at 'firsts' when it comes to matters of race, even gender, but we’re still in that time where things move slowly," Roshini Rajkumar, a Minneapolis-based messaging consultant and media coach, told KARE.

"Also, Americans love a good comeback story, underdog story, or just a really great narrative. Omar and others who we can call 'firsts' definitely have some really great narratives."

If Omar wins in November, she'll also be the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in US House. And, she' may become one of the first two Muslim women in Congress.

Democrat Rashida Tlaib, who hails from a Palestinian-American family, is also favored to win her congressional race in Michigan.

Tlaib campaigned with Omar in Minneapolis the weekend before the election, and congratulated her on Twitter, with the #Sisterhood hashtag.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old community organizer who upset 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in New York's 14th Congressional District, also gave a shout-out to Omar lauding her victory.

"The may be some kind of comradery, especially because politics is such a business these days, it’s actually a real tough game," Rajkumar explained.

"If there are people out there that seem like you, and you might end up being in the minority, or you haven’t done something before, that sets up this track to be a first, you might seek out other people that are in that same lane."

Rajkumar noted there's a wave of female candidates attracting voter support in this election cycle, so the hashtag #Sisterhood could tap into many undercurrents in the changing demographics of politics.

Even the DFL primary field in the 5th District race was remarkable, in that respect. The top three candidates were Omar, former House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Senator Patricia Torres Ray, who is an immigrant from Columbia.

The mere image of the three of them sharing the stage at a WCCO radio debate struck Rajkumar.

"In my life time, definitely when I was in college, that wouldn't have happened -- that we have an African refugee, a white woman, and a Hispanic woman all on the same stage, no man around running against them."

Another result of Tuesday's primary is that Minnesota is assured to have an Indigenous woman as its next lieutenant governor, regardless of who wins the the governor's race.

Democrat Tim Walz's running mate, Rep. Peggy Flanagan of St. Louis Park, is a member of the White Earth Nation of Ojibwe. And Republican Jeff Johnson's running mate, Donna Bergstrom of Duluth, is part of the Red Lake Nation.

Flanagan acknowledged that piece of history during her victory speech Tuesday night.

"So, Donna Bergstrom, here we go, sister!"

Rajkumar, who has coached politicians on messaging and covered politics in her days as a journalist, said ethnicity is one of many factors gubernatorial candidates consider when shopping for running mates.

That said, the historic significance of the moment shouldn't be lost on anyone.

"This state, the state of Minnesota, has such history with the Native peoples, and sometimes a negative history."

The Sri Lanka native said she's heartened to see a surge in voter turnout and enthusiasm that comes along with diversity on the ballot.

"I’m excited, as someone who loves our Constitution, and I am myself an immigrant to this country. I’m excited that people are getting involved."

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