BROOKLYN PARK, MN- Minnesota State Representative Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley has officially secured the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party’s unity endorsement for House District 38A, overcoming what she described as a coordinated behind-the-scenes campaign to block her nomination despite her decisive victory in the August 11 primary election.
The local party unit solidified Hiltsley’s endorsement during a high-stakes meeting on August 19–20, 2026. The vote put an end to days of intense internal friction that threatened to fracture the local party structure just months before the November general election.
Hiltsley, who made history in 2024 as the first Kenyan-born politician elected to a U.S. state legislature, emerged from the meeting with a clear majority, cementing her status as the official DFL standard-bearer for the district.
The controversy began almost immediately after the August 11 DFL primary. While primary victories typically guarantee a candidate the automatic backing of their party establishment, factions within the Senate District 38 DFL party unit attempted to withhold the formal post-primary endorsement from Hiltsley.
The maneuver sparked swift backlash from Hiltsley’s campaign and community leaders, who viewed the move as an attempt to subvert the will of local voters. For days, rumors of procedural delays and targeted opposition circulated within Minnesota political circles, prompting Hiltsley to break her silence and address the situation directly.
In an expansive, candid public statement, Representative Hiltsley detailed the resistance she encountered from within her own party infrastructure. She expressed profound exhaustion with the internal maneuverings, labeling the effort to deny her the endorsement as a step too far.
“I have tried to stay quiet and mind my business… but this is the last straw,” Hiltsley stated. “The opposition/resistance I have faced internally since August 11th is crazy. It’s wild.”
Hiltsley accused her political opponents of utilizing covert tactics, spreading unsubstantiated claims, and weaponizing party bureaucracy to undermine her electoral mandate. She pointed to a pattern of systemic resistance that ignored the clear outcome of the primary election.
“The behind-the-scenes ‘whispering’, unfounded claims, rumors with no receipts, and political gymnastics to block my endorsement post-primary win is unmatched,” Hiltsley declared.
Despite the backroom opposition, Hiltsley maintained confidence in her standing with rank-and-file party members and the broader electorate. She framed the decisive local unit vote as a triumph of transparency over political gatekeeping.
“Democracy won on August 11th at the ballot box, and Democracy won again yesterday at the SD 38 Party Unit meeting by a majority vote!” Hiltsley announced following the decision. “I am officially DFL endorsed.”
The internal dispute has drawn significant attention to District 38A, a diverse and rapidly changing legislative district in the northern twin cities metro area. As a trailblazing figure within the East African diaspora and the broader Minnesota immigrant community, Hiltsley’s legislative tenure has been closely watched both locally and internationally.
Following the vote, Hiltsley expressed gratitude to the volunteers, delegates, and community members who rallied to defend her nomination. She emphasized her desire to move past internal divisions and focus entirely on the upcoming general election.
“I look forward to working with everyone who is ready to move the needle forward for our community and deliver a DFL win in November,” Hiltsley said.
Hiltsley’s campaign plans to run on her legislative record in St. Paul, focusing on economic development, equitable education funding, and community safety.
