Liban Mohamed Enters Race for Utah’s 1st Congressional District
Liban Mohamed, a Democrat of Somali descent residing in Utah, announced his candidacy for the 1st Congressional District on Monday.
The 27-year-old declared his intention to run via a post on X, highlighting his upbringing by Somali immigrant parents and asserting, “His story is rooted in Utah.” This announcement follows a decision by a Utah judge to invalidate a Republican-drawn congressional map from November 2025, which would have given Republicans an advantage in all four of the state’s congressional districts.
In his message, Mohamed stated, “I’m Liban Mohamed. I am running for Congress (UT-01). The roots of my story are in Utah. Born and raised here by Somali immigrant parents, I grew up in a community that valued service and believed that when people come together, anything is possible.”
So far, his campaign has not responded to requests for comments.
The Salt Lake Tribune noted that Mohamed is also black and Muslim. In a discussion with the publication, he mentioned that Utah’s newly configured U.S. House districts present an “excellent opportunity and a new chapter for Utah.”
He emphasized the importance of finding leaders who are unique and reflect the community’s perspective, energy, and hope. “I think I can be that person that brings together people who don’t typically get involved, but now they’ll be engaged,” he added.
Other Democratic contenders for Utah’s 1st Congressional District include Salt Lake City Councilmember Eva Lopez Chavez, state Sen. Kathleen Liebe, and former Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, among others. Currently, no Republican candidates have declared their intentions for the seat.
Mohamed has expressed confidence in his ability to engage the community. He stated, “What I bring to the table is a depth of support. I’m very confident in my ability to resonate with the community and operate on a platform that serves people.” He aims to have representatives who genuinely fight for their interests.
Democrats are pledging to protect immigrant communities and restore America’s promise if they gain a foothold in Congress, as outlined on Mohamed’s campaign website. Additionally, it mentions his prior experience with TikTok’s public policy team, where he managed responses to political scrutiny.
This announcement comes on the heels of comments made by former President Donald Trump in December 2025, expressing disapproval of Somali immigrants and suggesting they should “go back to where they came from.” Recent controversies surrounding Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, amid fraud allegations involving Somali-led operations, have also made headlines. Walz recently suspended his re-election campaign due to ongoing scandals.
