PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Recount Confirms Varisha Khan the Second of two Muslim Women Elected in Washington State
Candidate for Redmond City Council Declared Winner After Mandatory Recount
(SEATTLE, WA, 12/6/19)
– CAIR Washington, the Washington state chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today reported that Varisha Khan was confirmed as the winner for the Redmond City Council Position #1.
Khan was declared the winner this morning by the King County Canvassing Board after a mandated automatic recount.
In a statement to CAIR Washington, Khan stressed the importance of voting in local races:
“I'm honored to have been elected by the great people of Redmond and am proud to be able to serve a city that chose progress and representation over outdated status quo,” said Khan. “Given our razor thin margin and that only one vote would've prevented a recount, this race undoubtedly proves that every single vote matters. Redmond has chosen change, and I look forward to shaping a better future for everyone in our community and our region.”
Active in progressive politics for several years, Khan was a delegate for Bernie Sanders to the 2016 Democratic National Convention. She was also chosen to serve as the Democratic presidential elector for Washington’s 1st Congressional District in 2016. Her platform for the Redmond City Council seat included issues like “environmental sustainability and “equity ad inclusion.”
Khan is the second Muslim woman elected in Washington’s November 2019 election. Together, she and Zahra Roach – who won her bid for Pasco City Council position 7 – are the first* Muslim women to be elected to office in Washington state.
CAIR Washington has identified at least 33 Muslim candidates who won elections in local and statewide races across the country in 2019. More than 70 Muslims ran for office this year at the local and state level.
CAIR Washington is a 501(c)3 and does not endorse or oppose candidates for election.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
*Varisha Khan and Zahra Roach are the first
known
Muslim women to be elected to office in Washington state. Zak Idan who ran for Tukwila City council in 2017 is the
first known Muslim
(and Somali) to be elected to an office. Amina Ahmed who tragically died in a car crash last year was the first known Muslim woman
to hold
an office when she was appointed to the SeaTac City Council in 2018.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Schreindl, CAIR Washington Communications Coordinator,
jschreindl@cair.com
206.367.4081
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Varisha Khan
