Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley (born 1985) is the first Kenyan-American[1] to win a state assembly seat anywhere in the United States in Minnesota. [2] She was elected under the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party to represent District 38A in the 2025- 2026 Minnesota House of Representatives.[1][1][3]

She defeated Brad Olson of the Republican Party in the 2024 general election, after a narrow win against Wynfred Russel[4] in the Democratic Party primaries.[5][6]

Personal life

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Hiltsley Huldah is the daughter to Phillip Momanyi Sangaka[7] and Tabitha Momanyi. She hails from Nyamemiso village in Nyamira, Kenya.[7] The father moved to the United States as a student in 1988. Her mother, joined later in 1992 and Huldah and her other two siblings joined them in 1995.[8][9]

She has four degrees, three Bachelor's Degrees in International Business, International Relations, and Reconciliation Studies, plus a Master's in Global Business Management, from Bethel University.[7][10][11]

Hiltsley Huldah is married to Bart and they have two children, Jaydah Rae and Jordan Philip.[2][10]

Career

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Upon completion of her Master's degree, Huldah relocated alongside her family to San Diego where she worked at Dexcom.[11]

Prior to announcing her candidacy for election[12] in 2023, she was a Privacy Operations Manager at Boston Scientific.[12]

Huldah is also passionate about uplifting lives, with a focus mainly on girls and women. In 2014, she founded SaniPads, which focuses on keeping girls in school in Kenya.[11] Aside from that, she also served as the first Female president of Mwanyagetinge Organization that is based in Minnesota.[11][13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "After election, Kenya-born legislator heads to Minnesota capitol". Voice of America. 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  2. ^ "Who is Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley? The first Kenyan State Representative in US history". November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Nyambura, Esther. "Kenyan-American Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley wins Minnesota House seat". The Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  4. ^ "Liberian-Born Man Based In US, Wynfred Russell Formally Launches Campaign or Minnesota State Representative - News Public Trust". 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  5. ^ "Wynfred Russell (Minnesota)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  6. ^ O'Connor, Jack. "August primary election results". The Minnesota Daily. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  7. ^ a b c Ongwae, Stanley. "Celebrations as Moraa wins district seat, makes history in US elections". The Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  8. ^ Mkenya Hulda Moraa Momanyi azungumza baada ya kuchaguliwa katika jimbo la Minnesota nchini Marekani. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-10 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Kenyan-born Hulda Momanyi speaks on her victory, her plans for the Minnesota House of Representative. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-10 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ a b "Hiltsley, Huldah - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  11. ^ a b c d "Servant Leader Empowers Women Across the World | Bethel University". www.bethel.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  12. ^ a b "Hiltsley announces candidacy for District 38A". hometownsource.com. 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  13. ^ "Mwanyagetinge (MN)". Retrieved 2024-11-18.