Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley has secured her place in the November race for a Minnesota House seat after emerging victorious in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary for District 38A.
The Kenyan-born lawmaker defeated Wynfred Russell by 261 votes in the August 11 contest, taking 48.79 per cent of the vote. Russell followed with 41.81 per cent, while Klatte managed 9.40 per cent.
The result gives Hiltsley the DFL nomination and sets up a November 3 contest against Republican Charlie Kistler for the State Representative position.
Hiltsley shared the outcome on August 12, using the opportunity to recognise the people who helped drive her campaign.
She thanked voters, campaign volunteers, donors, supporters, friends and family for standing behind her during the primary.
“From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! This victory belongs to every voter, volunteer, supporter, donor, friend, and family member who believed in our vision and stood with us. I am deeply humbled and honored by your trust. We won this primary together—and together, we move forward! Onward to November,” she said
The lawmaker described the primary result as a shared achievement and said she would now focus on the next phase of the campaign ahead of the November election.
Hiltsley currently represents Minnesota House District 38A after winning the seat during the 2024 general election. She defeated Republican Brad Olson in that contest.
She is a member of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, the political organisation that serves as the state’s Democratic Party.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library records her as a DFL legislator, while her official House profile lists her as Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley (DFL–Brooklyn Park).
Hiltsley was born in Kenya and is the daughter of Philip and Tabitha Momanyi, who moved from Nyamira County to the United States.
Her father went to America first, with her mother following in 1992. Hiltsley and her two siblings later joined their parents in Minnesota in 1995 when she was around nine years old.
She is married to Bart Hiltsley, with whom she has two children, Jaydah Rae and Jordan Philip. The family is based in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Her early schooling took place in Kenya, where she attended Nyambaria Primary School, although some accounts also refer to Kisii Primary School.
After moving to Minnesota, she joined Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope and graduated in 2004.
Hiltsley went on to Bethel University, where she obtained three bachelor’s degrees in International Business, International Relations and Reconciliation Studies.
She later earned an MBA in Global Business Management from the same institution.
Career and Political Journey
Before joining elective politics, Hiltsley worked in the Twin Cities in areas including corporate compliance, data privacy and data protection.
She also became involved in community leadership and served as the first elected female president of Mwanyagetinge, a Kisii cultural and community organisation.
Her community activities have included women’s empowerment, youth mentorship and community organising.
Hiltsley made her first attempt at elected office in 2022 when she contested the Minnesota State Senate seat in District 38 on a DFL ticket but did not win.
Two years later, she secured the DFL nomination for House District 38A before defeating Olson in the general election.
Her 2024 victory marked a milestone as she became the first Kenyan-born person elected to a US state legislature.
As a member of the Minnesota House, Hiltsley has championed issues around education, economic opportunity, public safety and support for immigrant and minority communities.