Samakab Hussein threw in the towel on the Ward 1 city council race this week, but he hasn't quit advocating for the large East African community in Frogtown and Summit-University.
Hussein, a small business owner who this week endorsed City Council Member Dai Thao for re-election on Nov. 3, helped draw hundreds of East African residents to the DFL ward caucus on a wintry night last February -- breaking all sorts of attendance records and cementing the political power of ethnic voters who often fail to make headlines until there's a terrorism trial.
Hussein has strong feelings on that last point. "The media has destroyed us," he said, over coffee Friday morning with the Scoop.
Samakab Hussein doesn't want your vote this November 2015, but he may still want your support.
Improving media coverage of his community is high on his agenda. He hasn't returned to Somalia since he was a kid, and has no plans of moving back there in adulthood. He's an American and a St. Paulite now, through and through, and he wishes more people would understand that's typical of the Somali community in the Twin Cities, especially the younger generation.
"Some of us don't even remember (life) back in Somalia," Hussein said. "We pay taxes."
So why did he run for office, and what are the issues he'd like to highlight now that he's out of the race?
"My community is having a hard time finding housing. A lot of people can't find a place to live. They're in shelters," Hussein said.
Housing is a touchy issue. Should more affordable housing be built in the city, or in the more affluent suburbs?
Wherever it lands, it will land near a Somali family, says Hussein. His people, "they're everywhere in Minnesota, You can find them in Willmar, Minnesota. You can find them in Rochester."
Hussein remains concerned about the pace of real estate development in the ward. Some have questioned whether Metro Transit's Green Line would lead to a building boom, and gentrification. But most of the development he's seen has been closer to Minnesota Highway 280. "Not in Ward 1," he said. "It's kind of dead."
How about that proposed professional soccer stadium in the Midway? Would that be a boon or a boondoggle?
"I think soccer will bring job opportunities, and give youth skills to participate in soccer," he said, while offering a verbal pat on the back to the mayor. "I think it's a great idea and a great project."
Some University Avenue businesses have put up signs for both Dai Thao and Kazoua Kong-Thao in the Ward 1 race. Ranked-choice voting will allow voters to pick up to six candidates for one St. Paul City Council seat in November 2013.
While the Scoop doesn't speak Somali, it sure sounded like Hussein came down hard on Council Member Thao during in the lead up to the ward convention last March, when the two candidates effectively deadlocked. Whatever he told the crowd at the precinct caucuses, they were eating it up, and the words "Dai Thao" -- spoken derisively -- were clear as day.
But for whatever reason (he's a bit coy on the details), he's had a change of heart. Hussein acknowledged that the council member has been active on efforts to help CommonBond Communities secure $10 million in funding for ongoing improvements at Skyline Tower on St. Anthony Avenue. Once nicknamed the United Nations of the Sky, the tower is said to be home to more East Africans than any other federally-backed housing development in the country.
"He did help that project, with the windows," Hussein said. "About three years ago, one kid fell off."
But c'mon, Hussein. How do you really feel?
"Dai Thao being in office for two years -- he will have four years to improve," Hussein said. "It's better to give opportunity."
Before his next run for public office, the Scoop suggested that Hussein might better familiarize himself with the inner-workings of City Hall by joining St. Paul's Capital Improvement Budget committee, the Parks and Recreation Commission, his neighborhood district planning council, or another one of the city's many public boards and commissions. He's been active with the Aurora-St. Anthony Block Club.
The Scoop has reached out to the campaign of Mohamed Said, another candidate who sought the DFL endorsement last March, but Said did not file campaign papers by Ramsey County's Aug. 11 deadline, and a promised statement still hasn't landed in the Scoop's hot little inbox.
Thao will face Green Party candidate Trahern Crews in the Nov. 3 election.
The Hussein concession statement:
Samakab Hussein Throws Support to Incumbent, City Councilmember Dai Thao, for Re-Election to Saint Paul City Council Ward 1 Office
St. Paul, MN - Just after the Ramsey County campaign filing period closed at 5:00 PM, Samakab Hussein announced his decision to end his campaign in pursuit of the St. Paul Ward 1 City Council seat. Hussein said, "Today, I announce my support for Councilmember Thao in his re-election effort for St. Paul City Council Ward 1. After much thought and consideration, I believe Councilmember Thao can best continue to work with all the diverse communities in the ward, and I trust that he will attend to the needs of the East African community."
Hussein's support for Councilmember Dai Thao, the incumbent, is critical with less than three months left until the November 3rd Election Day. Passionate about increasing investment in public facilities and resources to address the special needs of East African residents, Hussein said, "Rather than engage in a long, drawn out fight, it would be best to put my energy into collectively working with Councilmember Thao and the diverse communities of Ward 1 to move us all forward together."
With no DFL endorsement made during the Ward Convention in March, Hussein urges voters to support Councilmember Thao, "I hope the hundreds of people who came out to the DFL Ward Convention will join with me and support Dai Thao."
Mr. Hussein is self-employed and is also a leader in the Aurora Block Club. He will continue to promote East African youth programs and mentor youth through sports and academics.
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