Daisane is 1st Somali legislator-elect from St. Cloud

Five days after his election victory, Abdi Daisane finally had a moment to reflect on his historic win.

It was Sunday, a rare quiet day at his usually bustling business, Blooming Kids Child Care Center in downtown St. Cloud.

Sitting at his desk with framed college diplomas and photos of his three kids behind him, Daisane said he's ready to get to work as a state representative — the first Somali American elected to the Minnesota Legislature from the St. Cloud area.

"This is the honor of my life,” he said. “Nothing is more exciting than getting the opportunity to give back to the community that gave me so much."

Daisane, a DFLer, flipped a state House seat in a city that has struggled with racism and xenophobia. His win was one of the more surprising victori...