Abdi Daisane Wins Minnesota House District 14A Seat
Abdi Daisane became the first Somali American state lawmaker for St. Cloud after defeating Republican Mike Conway in the November 4 election.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Abdi Daisane won the election for Minnesota House District 14A on November 4, 2026, defeating Republican Mike Conway with approximately 52% of the vote. The victory makes Daisane the first Somali American state lawmaker representing St. Cloud.
Following the election, reports emerged regarding Daisane's role as CEO of Blooming Kids Child Care Center. The center received $7.29 million in state childcare subsidy payments between 2018 and 2025, along with nearly $600,000 from the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program. Between October 2024 and October 2025, the facility was cited for 16 licensing violations, including lack of supervision and prohibited disciplinary actions.
Additional scrutiny has focused on Daisane's personal life and the broader regulatory environment. An interview with Daisane's wife surfaced in which she claimed to have entered the United States illegally. These developments coincide with wider Justice Department investigations into childcare and food-aid fraud across Minnesota, including a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Keith Ellison against Partners in Nutrition for billing the state for meals that were never served.
