Kenyan-born politician Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley has secured re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives, retaining her District 38A seat.
According to unofficial results released by the Minnesota Secretary of State on November 4, Momanyi-Hiltsley garnered 9,852 votes, representing 71.8 per cent of the total votes cast, against her Republican challenger Charlie Kistler, who received 3,840 votes, or 28 per cent.
In a message following her victory, Momanyi-Hiltsley thanked voters for their trust and support, as well as volunteers who contributed to her campaign.
She said she was honoured to continue serving the community and pledged to keep working on its behalf.
“You have sent me back to the Minnesota House! I am deeply grateful for your trust, your votes, and every volunteer and supporter who helped make this victory possible. Serving you is an honor, and I’m ready to keep working for our community,” she said.
Momanyi-Hiltsley is set to assume her new two-year mandate in January 2027, subject to certification of the results.
Minnesota’s House District 38A covers Osseo and parts of Brooklyn Park.
Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley Wins Re-Election in Minnesota
Before the voting began, Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley thanked everyone who had supported her campaign and participated in the election process.
She thanked those who played a role in what she described as a fight for democracy, adding that she remained grateful regardless of the outcome.
“The polls are closed! But as we wait for the numbers, I want to show my profound gratitude to everyone who had a part to play in this election season, in this fight for our democracy! No matter what happens, I am grateful,” she said.
Huldah Momanyi campaigned on an agenda that included access to healthcare, reproductive rights, gun legislation and fair housing.
Momanyi was first elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2024, becoming the first Kenyan American to hold a Minnesota House seat and the first Kenyan-born immigrant to hold state office anywhere in the United States.
Also Read: Kenyan-Born Politician Wins American Primary in Bid for State Representative Seat
Her Career and Education Background
Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley is a Kenyan-born American politician and member of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, which is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
She was first elected in the 2024 general election to represent Minnesota House District 38A, defeating Republican candidate Brad Olson.
Her official Minnesota House profile identifies her as Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley (DFL–Brooklyn Park).
Hiltsley is the daughter of Philip Momanyi and Tabitha Momanyi, Kenyan immigrants from Nyamira County.
She spent her early childhood in Kenya alongside her two siblings before relocating to the United States to reunite with her parents.
Her father moved to the US first, followed by her mother in 1992. In 1995, Huldah and her siblings joined their parents in Minnesota when she was approximately nine years old.
She began her education in Kenya at Nyambaria Primary School, though some accounts also mention Kisii Primary School.
After relocating to the US, she continued her studies at Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope, Minnesota, graduating in 2004.
Also Read: Kenyan-Born Woman Graduates as Private First Class in US Army, Her Pay Grade and Salary
Hiltsley later joined Bethel University, where she earned three bachelor’s degrees in international business, International Relations and Reconciliation Studies.
She also obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Global Business Management from the same institution.
Before entering elected politics, Momanyi-Hiltsley built her professional career in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, working in corporate compliance, data privacy and data protection.
Beyond her professional career, she has been involved in community leadership, including serving as the first elected female president of Mwanyagetinge, a Kisii-based cultural and community organization.
She is married to Bart Hiltsley, and the couple have two children, Jaydah Rae and Jordan Philip. They reside in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
In 2022, she ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota State Senate in District 38 as a DFL candidate.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates and subscribe to our YouTube Channel for in-depth interviews.
