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Hiiraan Online Today from Hiiraan Online: Somali Music advertisements Somali filmmaker Abderazak Ali mounts self-funded campaign for Hopkins mayor FacebookFacebook messengerTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInTelegramEmail Saturday November 1, 2025 Abderazak Ali is running for mayor of Hopkins. Credit: Provided MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (HOL) — Abderazak Ali, a Somali-born filmmaker and former refugee, is making his first bid for public office as he campaigns to become the next mayor of Hopkins, Minnesota — a race that could make him the city’s first Somali mayor and only the second Somali elected to lead a Twin Cities suburb. Ali, 40, is running an entirely self-funded and volunteer-driven campaign, spending just $200 of his own money to reach voters. Despite the odds, he says the race is less about defeating the incumbent and more about broadening representation and providing residents with another option. “I’m running on a platform that tackles everyday issues affecting all Hopkins residents,” Ali said. “Winning is not guaranteed. But I’m stepping up not to challenge the current mayor, but to give my community a second choice.” If successful, Ali would follow in the footsteps of Nadia Mohamed, who became Minnesota’s first Somali and Muslim mayor when she was elected to lead St. Louis Park in 2023. Ali is challenging incumbent Mayor Patrick Hanlon, who has raised more than $10,000 in campaign funds, along with business owner Lynn Bialick and retiree Robert Ivers. Unlike his opponents, Ali has no donors or fundraising committees — instead, his team canvasses neighborhoods and engages voters directly. He said his priorities include improving public safety, expanding affordable housing, upgrading street lighting, and revitalizing aging parks. Ali also supports ensuring that the city’s upcoming light-rail line enhances mobility without displacing long-term residents. Ali’s team of 17 volunteers has focused on door-to-door conversations, emphasizing local issues. “For an election of this scope, the expenses are very low, so I decided to cover whatever I need out of pocket,” he said. Ali’s journey to the ballot began decades ago in Somalia, where he fled civil war as a teenager and boarded a boat to Yemen in hopes of reaching Europe. The vessel broke down mid-sea, leaving 179 passengers stranded for eight days. Many died before rescue teams arrived, an experience Ali describes as life-defining. He spent more than 15 years in refugee camps across Yemen, Sudan, and Tunisia. While living in Tunisia’s Choucha Refugee Camp, Ali discovered his voice through film, producing and directing a musical drama about displacement that later drew the attention of Time magazine. He resettled in the United States in 2012, studying film production in California before moving to Hopkins in 2018. Today, he runs a small media company and hosts Somaliyey Maqal, a Somali-language talk show with more than 62,000 YouTube subscribers and 49,000 Facebook followers. Beyond filmmaking, Ali volunteers as head of community engagement at People in Action, a St. Paul nonprofit offering art, education, and job resources. Ayanle Farah, the organization’s art director, described him as “fearless and a true people’s person,” adding, “He brings communities together through empathy and storytelling.” Ali said his decision to enter politics came from his daily interactions with residents. “Every conversation is a chance to listen and understand,” he said. “That’s what public service should be.” Ali’s campaign also unfolds amid rising political participation among Somali Americans in Minnesota. Like other Muslim candidates, Ali said he faces skepticism and misinformation. “Some people still struggle to see beyond labels,” he said.breakthrough that inspired Ali to run. His campaign also faced tension after one of his opponents, Robert Ivers, was arrested in September for threatening to kill a federal judge. Ali said he heard rumors Ivers had made threats against him but had no evidence to confirm them. Despite the challenges, Ali remains confident that his message of inclusion and community will resonate. “Hopkins deserves leadership that listens,” he said. “I’m not affiliated with any party — I’m running to serve the people who call this city home.” “Once voters realize that I’m an independent, unaffiliated with any party, and solely dedicated to the well-being of Hopkins residents, I believe voters will see that the issues we face impact us all equally,” he said. Opinion| Privacy Policy|Sports|Somali Music|Somali Map All Rights Reserved Copyright. © 1999-2025, www.hiiraan.com
