Former Michigan lawmaker Rashida Tlaib made history early Wednesday morning when she won the Democratic primary election for the state’s 13th Congressional District. Tlaib will run uncontested come November, making her set to become the country’s first Muslim-American and Palestinian-American woman in Congress.
According to BuzzFeed News, Tlaib’s race was called shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday, after she pulled just ahead of Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones. The congressional race was packed, as Tlaib and Jones ran alongside state Sen. Coleman Young II, and state Sen. Ian Conyers. Conyers is the great-nephew of former Congressman John Conyers, Jr., who had vacated the district seat in December after facing accusations of sexual misconduct.
A special election for the seat to finish out the last few months of Conyers’ term was too close to call Wednesday morning, though the New York Times reports Jones has a slight lead above Tlaib in that race.
Tlaib, a member of the Greater Detroit Democratic Socialists of America, is Muslim and Palestinian, and has “deep ties” to activist circles, BuzzFeed News reported. And while she may be at least among the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress come November, Democratic Minnesota congressional candidate Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American, is expected to cinch the election should she win next Tuesday. Another Muslim female candidate, Fayrouz Saad, is running in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 11th District, but faces strong opposition in a majority-Republican district should she win.
Across Twitter, celebrants shared the news of Tlaib’s historic win.
Nothing like breaking news at 3AM. @RashidaTlaib becomes the first Muslim woman elected to Congress!! #womenlead
— Faiza N. Ali (@faiza_n_ali) August 8, 2018
Congratulations to Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib)
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) August 8, 2018
She won the Primary for Michigan’s 13th Congressional district. She will run unopposed and will become the first Muslim woman ever elected to Congress.
Take that Donald Trump! pic.twitter.com/7rlrZvA4AP
https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1027092621678792704
Rashida Tlaib just won #MI13 and becomes the first Muslim woman elected to Congress. For many, this is the beauty and promise of the American dream. For others, this is a nightmare. Relax, breath & know she’s just the first of many. Wait until the midterms. Hold tight & enjoy.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) August 8, 2018
Some saw Tlaib’s win as a win for their own representation, as well as a win for women of color—many who have turned out over the past year to affect change against the Trump administration.
Tlaib’s primary win, at the very least, is certainly meaningful at a time when President Donald Trump has issued policies against immigrants and legal immigration, against the visitation of people from Muslim-majority and Black-majority countries, and has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
https://twitter.com/LailaLalami/status/1027082453498748928
https://twitter.com/hudaelmi_/status/1027099295378534400
And while Tlaib’s win for Muslim representation in the House of Representatives became a focus of the majority of narratives supporting her election, many pointed out that she’s also the first Muslim-Palestinian American woman to take a congressional seat.
Congratulations to Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian American, Muslim American congresswomen in US history.
— Simran Jeet Singh (@simran) August 8, 2018
And congratulations to all of us, for continuing to push for a more progressive and inclusive America. pic.twitter.com/hl6lrBZHHT
The first Palestinian American woman, first Muslim American woman IS heading to the US Congress. History has been made and will continue to be made. Thank you @RashidaTlaib for inspiring us all. #DoneWaiting #MichiganPrimaries
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) August 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/lailazxt1/status/1027055935116791809
Tlaib addressed her win via Twitter in the early hours of Wednesday, calling the moment unbelievable, and writing of her excitement to serve Michigan in Congress.
Thank you so much for making this unbelievable moment possible. I am at a loss for words. I cannot wait to serve you in Congress.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 8, 2018
“I will fight back against every racist and oppressive structure that needs to be dismantled,” Tlaib reportedly said at her primary celebration, at which her mother draped the Palestinian flag over her during her speech. “You deserve better than what we have today with our president.”
