Hodan Hassan Explained

Hodan Hassan
State House:Minnesota
District:62B
Constituency:62B (2023-present)
62A (2019-2022)
Term Start:January 8, 2019
Predecessor:Karen Clark
Birth Date:1 February 1982
Birth Place:Somalia
Party:Democratic (DFL)
Children:2
Residence:Minneapolis, Minnesota
Education:Metropolitan State University (B.A.)
Augsburg University (M.A.)

Hodan Hassan (born February 1, 1982) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Hassan represents District 62B,[1] which includes parts of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota.[2] Hassan served as an assistant majority leader of the House DFL caucus from 2019 to 2020. She announced that she will not seek reelection in 2024.[3]

Early life, education, and career

Hassan was born in Somalia on February 1, 1982. In 1991, the Somali Civil War led Hassan to seek refuge in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya.[4] Hassan immigrated to the United States in 1999. She attended Metropolitan State University, graduating with a B.A. in social work, and Augsburg University, graduating with a M.A. in social work.[5]

Hassan is a mental health clinician and the executive director for Pathways 2 Prosperity.[6] She has worked as a senior clinical social worker for Hennepin County.[7]

After two of her nieces were badly hurt in an Al-Shabaab terrorist shooting, Hassan became active in fighting extremism in Minnesota and rebuilding trust between Somali Minnesotans and the government.[8] [9] [10] In 2015, she visited the White House as part of a Summit on Countering Violent Extremism.[11] A youth mentor, Hassan said that fewer job and community opportunities make youth more susceptible to aggressive recruiting.[12] She argued for a less punitive approach to a proposed female genital mutilation bill.[13] She served as chairwoman of the Somali-American Task Force, which offered feedback to U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger on how to prevent recruitment from terrorist groups.[14] [15] [16]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Hassan was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018 and has been reelected every two years since. She first ran after 19-term incumbent Karen Clark announced she would not seek reelection. Hassan won the crowded DFL primary election, defeating future state senator Omar Fateh. She was the second Somali-American woman elected to the state legislature, after Ilhan Omar was elected in 2016.[17]

Hassan chairs the Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee, and sits on the Housing Finance and Policy, Ways and Means, and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committees. From 2020 to 2021 Hassan was vice chair of the Education Policy Committee. From 2019 to 2020 she served as an assistant majority leader of the House DFL Caucus. Hassan is a member of the House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, the United Black Legislative Caucus, and the Black Maternal Health Caucus.[18] [19] [20]

Public safety and policing

Hassan was a member of a working group on police use of deadly force led by Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.[21] [22] She has been outspoken on police reform.[23] In 2019, she signed a letter to a judge asking them for leniency when sentencing Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor for the murder of Justine Damond.[24] [25]

Hassan advocated for police reform in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, and criticized Republicans for "demonizing" Minneapolis.[26] [27] She criticized Minneapolis police for their handling of a traffic stop that resulted in the killing of Dolal Idd.[28]

Education

Hassan was the lead author of legislation to change the state constitution to add education as a "fundamental right", which she said could help address racial disparities in education.[29] [30] [31] Hassan introduced the "Increase Teachers of Color Act", which would increase bonuses for hiring out-of-state teachers of color.[32] [33] In 2021, 34% of Minnesota students were nonwhite, compared to only 5% of teachers.[34] She also introduced a bill that would add a personal finance course to Minnesota high school graduation requirements to increase student's financial literacy.[35] [36] [37]

Other political positions

Hassan worked on legislation that would give women of color grants and assistance in starting businesses, and a bill that would increase advocacy and education on the negative health effects of using products to lighten skin.[38] [39] She authored legislation that would expunge cases that don't end in eviction from a tenant's record and expunge eviction records more than three years old, arguing that tenants deserve a second chance.[40] Hassan co-wrote an op-ed calling for a more racially equitable transit system, and investment in transit lines that run through historically marginalized communities.[41] She has criticized ride-share companies Lyft and Uber for how they handle driver compensation, insurance and working conditions.[42]

Hassan has been critical of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and during the 2021 Minneapolis mayoral election, she did not endorse Frey, and signed on to a letter that advocated for a "new mayor" who would do more to end racial disparities and increase public safety.[43] [44] [45] In 2019, Hassan signed a letter of support for Representative Ilhan Omar after she was accused of making antisemitic comments.[46] Before a visit by President Donald Trump, Hassan said, "Trump, his hate, and his bigotry is not welcome in Minnesota."[47]

Personal life

Hassan has two children and resides in the Ventura Village neighborhood in Minneapolis.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Prior to state-wide redistricting in 2022, Hassan represented District 62A (see Electoral History).
  2. Web site: Rep. Hodan Hassan (62B) - Minnesota House of Representatives . 2023-03-10 . www.house.mn.gov.
  3. Web site: Legislative Retirements - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library .
  4. Web site: 2018-06-18 . Hodan Hassan: From Refugee to US State Representative . 2023-09-06 . Voice of America.
  5. Web site: Hassan, Hodan . Minnesota Legislative Reference Library . November 10, 2018 . en.
  6. News: Thomas . Dylan . Seven vie to fill Clark's big shoes at the Capitol . November 10, 2018 . Southwest Journal . January 24, 2018.
  7. News: Best . Eric . New representatives on the way in three House districts . November 10, 2018 . Southwest Journal . October 18, 2018.
  8. Web site: Sepic . Matt . September 24, 2013 . Several victims of Kenya attack have ties to Minnesota . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  9. Web site: Montemayor . Stephen . Minnesota Somalis work to root out homegrown terror from within . 2023-03-10 . Star Tribune. 18 September 2016 .
  10. Web site: Montemayor . Stephen . Citing Trump, Minneapolis Somali nonprofit rejects $500,000 counterextremism grant . 2023-03-10 . Star Tribune. 3 February 2017 .
  11. Web site: Neely . Brett . February 18, 2015 . MN's anti-terror efforts draw White House interest . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  12. Web site: Sherry . Allison . February 15, 2015 . Minnesota officials, imams talk up community outreach at White House . 2023-03-10 . Star Tribune.
  13. Web site: Koumpilova . Mila . Mahamud . Faiza . May 19, 2017 . Minnesota bill against female genital mutilation raises opposition . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  14. Web site: Yuen . Laura . May 15, 2015 . Task force builds support for anti-terror program . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  15. Web site: Montemayor . Stephen . June 21, 2016 . Family of man who pleaded guilty in Minnesota ISIL case says radicalization is a reality in Twin Cities . 2023-03-10 . Star Tribune.
  16. Web site: Koumpilova . Mila . August 7, 2016 . Donald Trump's comments about Minnesota Somalis met with outrage . 2023-03-10 . Star Tribune.
  17. Web site: Van Berkel . Jessie . August 14, 2018 . Other races: Mitra Jalali Nelson poised to join St. Paul City Council . 2023-03-10 . Star Tribune.
  18. Web site: Multiple authors . May 19, 2022 . OPINION EXCHANGE Find room in the budget deal for communities of color . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  19. Web site: Pugmire . Tim . February 6, 2019 . Six MN lawmakers form black caucus . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  20. Web site: Kian . Ava . 2023-02-01 . Black Maternal Health Caucus pushing for change in new Minnesota legislative session . 2023-04-07 . MinnPost . en-US.
  21. Web site: Montemayor . Stephen . July 22, 2019 . Keith Ellison, John Harrington kick off working group on deadly police encounters . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  22. Web site: Nelson . Tim . July 22, 2019 . State officials kick off initiative to examine shootings by police . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  23. Web site: Montemayor . Stephen . June 2, 2020 . DFL leaders: Policing reform will be 'centerpiece' of special session agenda . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  24. Web site: Xiong . Chao . June 5, 2019 . Dozens of supporters file letters supporting probation for Mohamed Noor in Justine Damond killing . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  25. Web site: Collins . Jon . Feshir . Riham . June 5, 2019 . Noor supporters to judge: Consider his character . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  26. Web site: Pugmire . Tim . June 8, 2020 . Floyd killing adds new issues to special session agenda . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  27. Web site: Bakst . Brian . February 8, 2021 . Walz gets pushback on COVID, Chauvin trial plans . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  28. Web site: MPR News Staff . January 4, 2021 . Hundreds call for justice for Dolal Idd at Minneapolis rally, march . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  29. Web site: Callaghan . Peter . 2022-01-18 . Why a new push for the 'Page Amendment' could end up being one of the 2022 Legislature's biggest fights . 2023-04-07 . MinnPost . en-US.
  30. Web site: Callaghan . Peter . 2022-04-08 . Why the Page Amendment can't get a hearing at the Minnesota Legislature . 2023-04-07 . MinnPost . en-US.
  31. Web site: Eischens . Rilyn . April 5, 2022 . 'Page Amendment' education bill likely dead for the third year . 2023-04-07 . Minnesota Reformer . en-US.
  32. Web site: Campuzano . Eder . January 27, 2023 . Walz, legislators propose millions in spending to diversify teaching . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  33. Web site: Eischens . Rilyn . February 25, 2021 . Bipartisan group of lawmakers call for action on proposed Increase Teachers of Color Act . 2023-04-07 . Minnesota Reformer . en-US.
  34. Web site: Star Tribune Editorial Board . March 7, 2021 . EDITORIAL Adding diversity to state teaching ranks is a critical goal . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  35. Web site: Star Tribune Editorial Board . April 15, 2022 . EDITORIAL Teach teens about dollars and sense . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  36. Web site: Faircloth . Ryan . Bills would require Minnesota students to take ethnic studies, personal finance classes . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune. 2 March 2023 .
  37. Web site: Zdechlik . Mark . April 4, 2022 . Lawmakers want financial literacy taught in schools . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  38. Web site: Bierschbach . Briana . April 10, 2021 . 'Representation absolutely matters': Historic class of women shaping Minnesota policy, budgets . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  39. Web site: Zehn . Tarkor . February 11, 2020 . Advocates work to make skin lightening a public health issue . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  40. Web site: Evans . Marissa . DFL lawmakers sponsor bill to erase eviction records . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune. 16 May 2019 .
  41. Web site: Gomez . Aisha . Hassan . Hodan . Hayden . Jeff . Torres Ray . Patricia . Conley . Angela . Jenkins . Andrea . June 18, 2020 . OPINION EXCHANGE Fund a more racially equitable transportation system . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  42. Web site: Nesterak . Max . 2022-10-21 . Uber and Lyft drivers press lawmakers to address long-standing labor complaints . 2023-04-07 . Minnesota Reformer . en-US.
  43. Web site: Nesterak . Max . August 26, 2020 . Minneapolis mayor tightens Police Department's use of force policies . 2023-04-07 . Minnesota Reformer . en-US.
  44. Web site: Nesterak . Max . 2020-05-30 . Minneapolis reeling after fourth night of chaos . 2023-04-07 . Minnesota Reformer . en-US.
  45. Web site: Navratil . Liz . October 18, 2021 . Divided left field of Minneapolis mayoral hopefuls have unified message: Don't rank Frey . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.
  46. Web site: The Associated Press . March 5, 2019 . Some MN elected officials express support for Omar . 2023-04-07 . MPR News . en.
  47. Web site: Mahamud . Faiza . October 10, 2019 . Trump's visit stokes fear, anxiety among Somalis . 2023-03-11 . Star Tribune.

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