Who is Farheen Hakeem? | Farheen Hakeem, Candidate for Minnesota House District 61B
Who is Farheen Hakeem?
Farheen Hakeem educator, leader, and community organizer, moved to Minneapolis in 1999. After September 11, 2001, Farheen joined the antiwar movement, spurred by the poor decisions that our government was making. At the same time working as a teacher, she saw how resources from the local level for were being drained while corporate interests were being expanded. These two experiences challenged her to examine the ways in which government fails the very communities it was created to serve.
Committed to making sure community voices are engaged in politics, she decided to “walk the talk” in 2005 and run for Mayor of Minneapolis. Farheen was the first Mayoral candidate endorsed by the Green Party and secured 14% of the primary vote.
Although she was not voted into office, the campaign launched her from a political no-name to a viable political leader in a few short months. Securing 14% as a “third-party” candidate also demonstrated the power of her grassroots organizing, as citizens put their support behind the candidate who offered a fresh message of community participation and government accountability.
Following the mayoral campaign, she heard from many supporters who urged her to remain in the political discussion and run again. After assessing her skills and listening to community needs, Farheen announced her candidacy for Hennepin County Commissioner, District 4. After a strong campaign, Farheen earned almost 17,000 votes, which is 33% of the general vote against a long term Democratic Party machine candidate.
After living in the district for 8 years, and learning the current office holder was not returning for another term, Farheen saw the opportunity to have community voices be recognized at State government and was the first to declare her candidacy for Minnesota State Representative for 61B.
Farheen has returned to become the Lead Community Coordinator for the Muslim Girls Initiative for the Girl Scout Council of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys.
Farheen was born and raised on the north side of Chicago, with her two brothers from immigrant parents. Farheen’s parents were small business owners. She graduated from a public high school and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Oberlin College. Farheen is also a foster parent and continues to volunteer as a Girl Scout Leader.