Aisha Siddida Chughtai (born September 4, 1997)[1] is an American community organizer and politician serving as the vice president of the Minneapolis City Council, representing the 10th Ward. A member of the DFL, she was elected in 2021 to succeed retiring Council President Lisa Bender. She is the youngest person and first Muslim woman elected to the Council.[2]
Aisha Siddida Chughtai | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minneapolis City Council from Ward 10 | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Lisa Bender |
| Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Linea Palmisano |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 4, 1997 |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Socialists of America |
| Residence(s) | Whittier, Minneapolis |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and career
editChughtai's parents are immigrants from Pakistan; her father worked as a mechanic and her mother as a Quranic instructor. She grew up in Houston, where her family experienced housing instability, and moved to Mankato, Minnesota during the 2008 financial crisis.[3][4]
Chughtai has worked on numerous political campaigns, including as campaign manager of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar's 2018 campaign. She later worked as a political organizer for the SEIU Minnesota State Council.[1]
Minneapolis City Council
editIn 2021, Chughtai announced her candidacy for retiring Council President Lisa Bender's Ward 10 seat. Her campaign focused on expanding affordable housing and strengthening local labor laws.[3] The DFL did not issue an endorsement in the ward, as no candidate achieved the necessary vote threshold.[5] She was endorsed by the abortion rights organization #VOTEPROCHOICE.[6]
Chughtai won the instant-runoff election on November 3 with 50.3% of the vote to her nearest challenger's 33.6%.[7][8] She took office on January 3, 2022, becoming the first Asian American, Muslim woman, and youngest member of the Council.[9] She took the oath of office on a ceremonial Quran also used by Ilhan Omar, Keith Ellison, Omar Fateh, and numerous other Muslim officials elected in Minneapolis.[10]
On November 7, 2023, Chughtai was reelected to a second term with 60.7% of the first-round vote.[11] The DFL endorsed her for reelection in a virtual vote after violence at the Ward 10 DFL convention forced early adjournment.[12] She was appointed Council Vice President alongside Council President Elliott Payne.[13] She also chairs the Budget Committee and serves on the Administration & Enterprise Oversight Committee.[14]
Personal life
editA renter, Chughtai lives in Minneapolis's Whittier neighborhood.[15][16] She is a member of the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).[17] She advocates for community control over the police.[16]
References
edit- ^ a b Whalen, Eamon (October 28, 2021). "In Minneapolis, the Movement Heads for the Voting Booth". The Nation. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Birnstengel, Grace; Collins, Jon (November 9, 2021). "Socialism comes to the Minneapolis City Council". MPR. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Gustavo, Solomon (February 4, 2021). "Meet the Minneapolis City Council Candidate: Aisha Chughtai". MinnPost. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Simba, Cynthia (April 23, 2021). "Rep. Ilhan Omar's former campaign manager running for Minneapolis City Council". Mshale. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Mahamud, Faiza (June 10, 2021). "Minneapolis DFL endorses in seven council races, fails to endorse in six". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ "Meet Our 2021 Candidates". #VOTEPROCHOICE. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ Peters, Joey (November 2, 2021). "Your Minnesota Election Day 2021 results: All the updates on races in Minneapolis and St. Paul". Sahan Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ "2021 City Council Ward 10 election results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ Navratil, Liz (January 3, 2022). "Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, new City Council are sworn in". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Ansari, Hibah (January 3, 2022). "A special Qur'an holds the signature of almost every Minnesota Muslim elected to office. At a historic swearing-in ceremony, three Minneapolis City Council members added their names to the list". Sahan Journal. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ "Minneapolis City Council election results". Minnesota Public Radio. November 7, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Orrick, Dave (June 23, 2023). "In the wake of chaotic ward convention, Council Member Aisha Chughtai wins Minneapolis DFL backing". Star Tribune. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ Fischer, Samantha; Croman, John (January 8, 2024). "Payne, Chughtai elected new leadership team at Minneapolis City Hall". Kare 11 News. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Minneapolis, City of (2024-01-08). "City Council organizes for new term". City of Minneapolis. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "A guide to the 2021 Minneapolis mayor and City Council candidates". Star Tribune. October 1, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Rybak, Charlie (December 7, 2021). "An interview with incoming Ward 10 Council Member Aisha Chughtai". Southwest Voices. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Birnstengel, Grace; Collins, Jon (10 November 2021). "Democratic Socialists eager to bring progressive agenda to Minneapolis council". Sahan Journal. Retrieved 24 May 2023.