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Traditionally Democratic, Many Somali Americans in Minnesota Turn to Trump Over Religious and Economic Concerns
Minnesota, home to a sizable Somali American community, saw a noticeable shift in political loyalties during the 2024 election. While traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party, many Somali Americans reconsidered their stance, with some gravitating toward Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
Salman Fiqy, an outspoken Republican, shed light on this shift. “Somalis were historically Democrats,” he told Fox News Digital, attributing this to the first wave of Somali immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in the late 1990s and became politically engaged during Barack Obama’s presidency. “They felt aligned with the Democrats, but circumstances have changed,” Fiqy explained, asserting that a significant number of Somali Americans supported Trump.
Education was a key issue behind this shift. Fiqy pointed to concerns over LGBTQ topics being introduced in schools, which unsettled many Somali Americans who hold strong family values and conservative views. “We see the world through a conservative lens,” he said, emphasizing the importance of preserving religious and cultural traditions in raising children.
Data from the government confirms that the majority of Somali Americans practice Islam. Since the 2020 election, support for the Democratic Party has waned, particularly in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood—an area heavily populated by Somali immigrants. Here, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris saw her support drop by 14 percentage points.
Minnesota is home to over 25,000 Somali Americans, many of whom fled the civil war in the 1990s. Cedar-Riverside, historically a settlement area for various immigrant groups, is now largely Somali, with a thriving business community and the well-known “Somali Mall.”
Fatmata, a business owner in Karmel Mall, also highlighted the role of religious values in voting decisions. Though not Somali herself, she identifies as Black and Muslim and works closely with the Somali community. “Muslims who voted for Trump did so because they felt things were shifting too far left, conflicting with their beliefs,” she noted.
Despite concerns over Trump’s stance on deportations, many Somali Americans prioritized religious and economic factors. “They were deeply concerned about how their children would be raised in this environment and opted for Trump despite his controversial reputation,” Fatmata said.
Economic policies also played a role in shaping voter preferences. A business owner at Karmel Mall, who wished to remain anonymous, cited tax cuts and business-friendly policies as his reason for backing Trump. “I supported and voted for Trump last time. His tax breaks benefited my business,” he stated in an audio recording obtained by Fox News Digital.
However, not all Somali Americans shared this sentiment. A pharmacist at Cedar Pharmacy in the Somali Mall refuted the notion that the community had embraced Trump. “I don’t think any Somali person, including myself and my family, supported him. What common ground does he have with us?” he asked. He also challenged Trump’s stance on immigration. “The U.S. has always welcomed immigrants. I don’t see any illegal immigrants here,” he remarked.
In contrast, Salah, a restaurant owner at Barakalaa Somali Cuisine in Cedar-Riverside, offered a different perspective. “I see many in the community supporting the candidate,” he said, suggesting that views within the Somali American community remain diverse.
Fatmata underscored the difficulty of the decision for many Somali Americans. “Do we vote for Trump to uphold our children’s religious values despite his flaws? Or do we compromise on our religious beliefs?” she reflected.
Ultimately, the 2024 election highlighted the complex and evolving political perspectives among Somali Americans. While some remained loyal to the Democratic Party, others shifted toward Trump and the Republicans, prioritizing religious convictions, family values, and economic interests over traditional party allegiances.