Rashida Tlaib will run unopposed in November’s election.
American lawmaker Rashida Tlaib is poised to make history as the first Muslim woman to be elected to Congress.
Tlaib, whose parents are Palestinian immigrants, won the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th district this week, and will run unopposed in November’s general election – which means an almost guaranteed win. She will begin serving her two-year term in January.
Just voted with my son Adam! Thank you so much for making this historic campaign possible. I’m going to fight so hard for all of you. #TlaibTeam pic.twitter.com/PFqH932MNa
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 7, 2018
The 42-year-old was famously thrown out of an event where Donald Trump was giving a speech in November 2016 for heckling the then-presidential candidate.
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Tlaib told CNN Trump’s election was a “bat-signal” for women, and had personally inspired her to run for office.
“It was like it’s our time, we have to march on, we can’t stay on the outside of the ring anymore. We have to actually run for office and we have to demand to have a seat at the table.”
On Wednesday, Tlaib tweeted she was “at a loss for words” after the race was called in her favour.
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
Tlaib was one of more than 90 Muslim Americans who ran for local, state or national public office this year.
As she delivered her victory speech, her mother draped her in the Palestinian flag, the New York Times reported.
“A lot of my strength comes from being Palestinian,” she said, adding she would “fight back against every racist and oppressive structure that needs to be dismantled”.
“You deserve better than what we have today with our president.”
Image: Twitter
