{"id":62,"date":"2025-11-14T21:04:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T21:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/?p=62"},"modified":"2026-07-12T16:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T16:35:10","slug":"62","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/?p=62","title":{"rendered":"About Abdihakim"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Why I\u2019m Running for Hennepin County Commissioner<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

District 3 deserves a commissioner who is present in the community, shaped by lived experience, and focused on real results for families. I\u2019m running because every day I see how county decisions affect housing, mental health, public safety, childcare, and economic
opportunity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


As an immigrant, parent, engineer, school board member, and former vice chair, I understand both the challenges families face and the solutions that move a community forward<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What I Believe<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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I\u2019m running because:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Every family deserves affordable, stable housing
\u25cf Children and adults need strong human services and mental health support
\u25cf Workers deserve safe workplaces and fair treatment
\u25cf Public safety must be community centered and trustworthy
\u25cf Immigrant and underrepresented communities need an authentic voice
\u25cf Young people deserve opportunity, mentorship, and support<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How I Will Lead<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If elected, I will serve District 3 with partnership, transparency, and fairness. That means:
\u25cf Showing up consistently in every neighborhood
\u25cf Building community-centered public safety strategies
\u25cf Advancing urgent and inclusive housing solutions
\u25cf Bringing lived experience and genuine connection to county decisions
\u25cf Communicating often, clearly, and directly
\u25cf Making workforce development a front-line priority
\u25cf Being a visible and engaged presence in St. Louis Park & across District 3<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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My Message to Voters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I value public service, and I believe District 3 deserves leadership that is visible, present, connected, and focused on the lives of working families. That is why I\u2019m running for Hennepin County Commissioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I bring a background as a father, husband, engineer, community organizer, immigrant, and St. Louis Park School Board member. In 2021, I became the first Somali American elected to the board. My perspective reflects both Minnesota\u2019s future and the experiences of many families whose voices have gone unheard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am committed to delivering results on affordable housing, public safety, economic opportunity, and dignity for workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My goal is simple: expand opportunity & improve quality of life for everyone in District 3.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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My Priorities<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Affordable Housing<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Making sure families can afford to stay in the communities they call home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Ensure every family can find safe, affordable housing
\u25cf Support responsible, community-focused development
\u25cf Expand Stable Homes Stable Schools in St. Louis Park to keep families housed and students supported<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Health and Human Services<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Making county services easier to access and focused on people<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Create a unified Family Assistance Hub
\u25cf Improve services for immigrant and refugee families
\u25cf Strengthen youth and family support services, including prevention, mentoring, and crisis response<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Public Safety<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

a balanced approach focused on safety, prevention, and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Strengthen community-focused safety initiatives
\u25cf Build trust between residents and first responders
\u25cf Support approaches that prioritize prevention, transparency, and accountability<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Environmental Responsibility<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Protecting our environment while planning responsibly for the future.
\u25cf Support closing HERC with a realistic transition plan.
\u25cf Invest in recycling, composting, and waste reduction.
\u25cf Protect clean air, public health, and environmental justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My priorities are to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Set a realistic timeline to close HERC without delaying action until 2040.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Invest in recycling, composting, and waste reduction programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Protect workers through retraining, job placement, and a fair transition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Build the infrastructure needed to replace HERC’s waste-processing capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Work with cities, residents, businesses, and environmental advocates to create a cleaner, more sustainable waste system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    We can improve air quality, protect public health, advance environmental justice, and build a modern waste system that serves Hennepin County for generations to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Economic Opportunity<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    \u25cf Invest in small businesses and local entrepreneurs
    \u25cf Expand workforce training and pathways to good-paying jobs
    \u25cf Support youth employment programs that strengthen neighborhoods<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Transit and Mobility<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    \u25cf Expand reliable and frequent bus service to better connect residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services.
    \u25cf Improve winter maintenance at bus stops so transit remains safe and accessible year round.
    \u25cf Add more shelters and explore innovative options like micro transit to improve transportation access, especially for underserved areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Collaboration for Stronger Communities Schools<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    \u25cf Expand youth mental health teams
    \u25cf Improve Safe Routes to School
    \u25cf Support after-school tutoring, sports, and STEM programs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Community Engagement<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    \u25cf Quarterly meetings with mayors and school leaders
    \u25cf District 3 Community Advisory Boards
    \u25cf Ongoing neighborhood conversations<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    A New Voice for Our Community<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    District 3 needs a leader who understands the daily challenges facing families, workers, renters, and new Americans. I bring a fresh perspective, deep accessibility, and a commitment to putting people first.
    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cTogether, we can build a safer, healthier, more equitable, and more connected District 3.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Why I\u2019m Running for Hennepin County Commissioner District 3 deserves a commissioner who is present in the community, shaped by lived experience, and focused on real results for families. I\u2019m running because every day I see how county decisions affect housing, mental health, public safety, childcare, and economicopportunity. As an immigrant, parent, engineer, school board […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=62"}],"version-history":[{"count":67,"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":557,"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62\/revisions\/557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=62"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=62"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abdihakimibrahim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=62"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}