Rashida Tlaib may make history in America, she will likely be the first Muslim woman elected to Congress. CNN has projected her to win the Democratic primary in Michigan’s 13th District.
Tlaib successfully beat a crowded field of Democratic opponents to win Tuesday’s primary. She will not face a Republican opponent in November’s general election. Tlaib can still have to run in the general election against a write-in candidate, but she would be the overwhelming favorite in the deeply Democratic district.
“The winner of tonight’s primary will win the election,” Andy Goddeeris, Tlaib’s campaign manager, said on Tuesday. “No doubt about it.”
Tlaib is the eldest daughter of Palestinian immigrants. She was one of more than 90 American Muslims running for office this year. In 2008, she was the first Muslim woman ever to serve in Michigan’s state legislature.
The congressional seat that she is likely to hold was once occupied by Rep. John Conyers. He resigned in December due to allegations of sexual harassment.
Tlaib is also running against Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones in a primary for the special election in the district. The winner will serve from November until the beginning of the next Congress. CNN has not yet called the results for that race. The general election primary Tlaib won is for the full two-year term that begins next January.
Tlaib posted this on Twitter while the voting was taking place:
This is why we do the work. Talking to people and meeting them where they are is THE way to win votes… even when they’re working for your opponent. #VoteOnTheTlaibSide pic.twitter.com/mNFmdvftNh
— Rashida For Congress (@RashidaTlaib) August 7, 2018
And when the results of her win were coming in, she posted this note of thanks:
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 For Congress (@RashidaTlaib) August 8, 2018