Clare Oumou Verbeten
Clare Oumou Verbeten is an American politician serving as a member of the Minnesota Senate for the 66th district since 2023. She and Erin Maye Quade were the first openly LGBTQ women and first Black women elected to the Minnesota Senate.[1]
Clare Oumou Verbeten | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 66 district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | John Marty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | American University (BA) |
Early life and education
Oumou Verbeten was born and raised in Minnesota. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in law and society from American University in 2016.[2]
Career
As a college student, Oumou Verbeten worked as an intern for the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, the National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project, Women Winning, and the Democratic National Committee. She returned to the Minnesota DFL in 2016 as deputy public affairs director. In 2017 and 2018, she was the deputy political director for Tim Walz's gubernatorial campaign. After the campaign, Oumou Verbeten worked as deputy political director of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters and as a community affairs specialist for Mortenson Construction. From 2019 to 2022, she served as an equity and inclusion program manager for the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota.[3][4]
References
- Imse, Elliot. "Erin Maye Quade and Clare Oumou Verbeten Become First LGBTQ Women and First Black Women Ever Elected to the Minnesota State Senate; LGBTQ Representation in the State Legislature More Than Doubles". LGBTQ Victory Fund.
- Ansari, Hibah (2022-11-09). "Clare Oumou Verbeten wins state Senate seat in east metro". Sahan Journal. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- "3 questions for the 3 Black women about to make Minnesota Senate history". MPR News. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- "Clare Oumou Verbeten". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-12-08.