Meet Abdihakim
"I am a father, engineer, and public servant who has built my life in St. Louis Park."
From Mogadishu to St. Louis Park
My wife and I are raising our daughter and two boys in St. Louis Park, a community I am proud to call home. I came to the United States in 2014 after a journey that began in Mogadishu, Somalia, continued through Lahore, Pakistan, and included professional experience in the United Arab Emirates.
I grew up in Mogadishu during the civil war that followed the collapse of Somalia's central government in 1991. I witnessed friends, neighbors, and strangers lose their lives to the brutality of urban conflict — an experience that continues to inform my dedication to securing communities and ensuring robust public safety. In 2003, I left Mogadishu to pursue my education abroad.
Before serving on the St. Louis Park School Board as the first Somali American member and a vice chair, I built a career in electrical and test engineering, telecommunications, and manufacturing. I attended the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in Lahore, Pakistan, where I earned a BSc in Electrical Engineering, with a major in Electronics & Communication. While in college, I served as the President of Foreign Students, representing my peers and working with university leadership to address student concerns. I believe learning is a lifelong process, which is why I recently completed a Certificate in Community Organizing for Social Justice from the University of Michigan.
During my time abroad, I had the opportunity to absorb a variety of cultures and languages. I speak English, Somali, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi, allowing me to connect with a diverse array of residents.
My commitment to public service began long before I was elected to the school board. I served on the St. Louis Park Police Advisory Commission, where I built lasting relationships with officers and key community stakeholders. I also worked on school district referendum campaigns in 2017 and 2019 and served on the St. Louis Park 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. In 2021, I was elected to the St. Louis Park School Board.
The journey
1991
Growing up in Mogadishu
Somalia's central government collapses. Abdihakim grows up during the civil war that follows — an experience that still shapes his dedication to public safety.
2003
Leaving home to learn
He leaves Mogadishu to pursue his education abroad, eventually earning a BSc in Electrical Engineering at UET Lahore, where he serves as President of Foreign Students.
2014
A new home in America
After professional experience in the United Arab Emirates, Abdihakim immigrates to the United States and builds a career in electrical and test engineering, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
2017
Service before office
He works on the school district referendum campaigns of 2017 and 2019, serves on the St. Louis Park Police Advisory Commission, and joins the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee.
2021
Elected to the School Board
Abdihakim becomes the first Somali American elected to the St. Louis Park School Board, later serving as Vice Chair and steering the district through a leadership crisis.
2026
Running for County Commissioner
He wins the August 11 primary for Hennepin County Commissioner, District 3, and advances to the November 3 general election.
Proven results on the School Board
Steered the district through a crisis when two board members and the superintendent departed unexpectedly, leading key appointments and a successful superintendent search.
Led a successful effort to approve no-school days for Yom Kippur and Eid.
Increased accountability and enrollment by demanding excellence across the district.
Added new voices to the board by creating a Student School Board Representative position.
Secured more funding by partnering with state legislators on budget increases and policy reforms.
Championed multilingual learners and families navigating the system, ensuring education is accessible.
Worked on school transportation policy and Equitable School Buildings.
Abdihakim also earned the Minnesota School Boards Association Leadership Development Award and recognition as a finalist for the St. Louis Park Human Rights Award.
In the community
