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Lateefah Simon Elected to U.S. Congress, Strengthening Representation of American Muslims
Jafar Bhamji
11-06-2024
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Lateefah Simon, a renowned civil rights advocate and social justice organizer, has been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing California's District 12. Her election marks a historic moment as she joins the ranks of American Muslim representatives, expanding the presence of diverse voices in Congress.
A veteran advocate with 25 years of experience, Simon has been a force for change since her teens. She began her journey as an outreach coordinator for the Young Women’s Freedom Center (YWFC) at age 16, an organization dedicated to supporting marginalized young women. By 19, she was appointed Executive Director of YWFC, making her one of the youngest leaders in the field. Her work there led to national acclaim, culminating in her being awarded the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in 2003 at just 26.
Over the years, Simon has spearheaded several transformative programs. She was chosen by then-San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris to direct the groundbreaking Back on Track initiative, aimed at reducing recidivism among young adults facing low-level offenses. Later, as Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights in the San Francisco Bay Area, Simon established impactful community-based programs, such as the Second Chance Legal Services Clinic, supporting formerly incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives. Her role as Program Director of the Rosenberg Foundation saw her launch initiatives to promote the work of progressive leaders across California.
A champion for accessibility and equity, Simon, who was born legally blind, served on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors, where she focused on making public transportation more affordable and accessible for transit-dependent populations like herself. Appointed by former Governor Jerry Brown, Simon also served on the California State University Board of Trustees, where she provided insights into policy decisions addressing racial justice in higher education. Her academic journey saw her earning a B.A. in Public Policy from Mills College, where she was the commencement speaker, and later an MPA from the University of San Francisco.
Simon’s latest achievement comes amid widespread support from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s leading Muslim civil rights organization. CAIR has lauded Simon’s election as a milestone, symbolizing both the resilience of American Muslims and their commitment to justice. Simon now joins a small but impactful group of Muslim representatives, including André Carson (D-IN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who have all been re-elected by significant margins.
With the election of Simon, the 119th Congress will have four Muslim representatives. CAIR celebrated this growing representation, stating, “Lateefah Simon’s election is a powerful reminder that American Muslims are making strides and finding their voices in the halls of Congress.” At a time when Islamophobia is on the rise, CAIR believes Simon’s presence in Congress will encourage American Muslims and others seeking justice and inclusivity.
Simon's election was part of a broader effort by CAIR to engage the nation’s 2.5 million registered American Muslim voters. In the days leading up to the election, CAIR mobilized its resources to encourage voter participation, sending out over 600,000 text messages to registered Muslim voters nationwide, including those in key swing states.
Looking ahead, CAIR aims to work closely with Simon and other representatives to address pressing issues such as civil rights protections, social justice, and peace advocacy. Through continued engagement with Congress, CAIR seeks to ensure that the voices of American Muslims, and all marginalized communities, are represented and empowered in the political arena.
New and Returning U.S. Representatives Secure Strong Mandates
• Lateefah Simon (D): Projected winner for California's District 12, leading by 25,000 votes with 63% of the vote.
• André Carson (D): Re-elected with 167,904 votes, securing 68.2% of the vote.
• Rashida Tlaib (D): Re-elected with 253,188 votes, receiving 69.7% of the vote.
• Ilhan Omar (D): Re-elected with 261,060 votes, achieving 75.2% of the vote.
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