Madinah Wilson-Anton Explained

Madinah Wilson-Anton
State House:Delaware
District:26th
Term Start:November 4, 2020[1]
Predecessor:John Viola
Party:Democratic
Otherparty:Democratic Socialists of America, Working Families Party
Spouse:Isaiah Anton
Residence:Newark, Delaware, U.S.
Education:University of Delaware (BA, MPP)
Profession:Policy analyst

Madinah Wilson-Anton (born 1993) is an American politician serving in the Delaware House of Representatives for district 26 as a Democrat. She is the first practicing Muslim elected to the Delaware General Assembly. She defeated incumbent John Viola in the Democratic primary and later won the general election for the seat in 2020.[2]

Early life and education

Wilson-Anton grew up in Newark, Delaware; she graduated from the Charter School of Wilmington before continuing on to the University of Delaware.[2] [3] [4] In March 2017, CBSN quoted Wilson-Anton when the Biden Institute was founded at the University of Delaware. Wilson-Anton, then a graduate student, welcomed the move, stating that Biden's work had inspired her, and she planned to work in government upon graduation. In 2020, she earned a Master of Public Policy, also from the University of Delaware.[5]

Career

Wilson-Anton worked as a legislative aide for two members of Delaware legislature, Earl Jaques of the 27th district, and John Viola of the 26th district. In October 2019 Jaques mocked Eric Morrison, his rival for the Democratic nomination for his seat, for holding a fundraiser where he performed as a drag queen. The News Journal republished a tweet in which Wilson-Anton criticized her former boss. Jaques formally apologized.

As a Legislature Fellow, she voiced disappointment after two legislators protested an Islamic prayer.

Delaware House of Representatives

2020 Delaware House campaign

Wilson-Anton's 2020 campaign focused on education, housing, and health care, and she has stated support for a state-level Green New Deal. Her campaign was endorsed by the Working Families Party.[6] When Wilson-Anton announced she was competing for the Democratic nomination reporters noted that, if elected, she would be the first practicing Muslim to serve in the Delaware legislature.

She defeated 22-year incumbent representative John Viola in the primary election by 43 votes.[7] Because the district is solidly-Democratic, Wilson-Anton won the November general election with minimal opposition and became the first practicing Muslim elected to Delaware's state legislature.[8] [9] [10] [11]

Christian Century noted that four other states elected their first Muslim legislators, in 2020. Iman Jodeh, Christopher Benjamin, Mauree Turner and Samba Baldeh were the first Muslim legislators in Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, respectively.

Tenure

Wilson-Anton's first bill expanded public school religious holiday policies to include minority faith holidays like Eid al-Fitr.[12] [13]

Along with State Senator Sarah McBride, Wilson-Anton called on fellow State Representative Gerald Brady to resign after he made racist comments toward Asian-Americans in a leaked email.[14]

Wilson-Anton has called for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel–Hamas war.[15] On December 11, 2023, she interrupted a speech by Vice President Kamala Harris, unfurling a sign reading “ceasefire” and shouting, "Did you know in Bethlehem, baby Jesus is under rubble? Why won’t you call for a cease-fire?"[16] [17] She has called President Joe Biden a "war criminal."[18]

Electoral history

2020

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: General Assembly kicks off, swearing in members virtually. January 12, 2021. Matt. Bittle. Delaware State News.
  2. News: Madinah Wilson-Anton one step closer to becoming Delaware's first practicing Muslim lawmaker. . October 5, 2020 . Aris Folley . March 21, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201005171027/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/516951-madinah-wilson-anton-one-step-closer-to-becoming-delawares-first-practicing .
  3. Web site: About Madinah. Madinah Wilson-Anton. n.d.. 2021-07-07.
  4. Web site: September 24, 2020. Meet The Black Woman Who Just Became The First Muslim Elected to Office in Delaware's 233-Year History. October 19, 2020. BOTWC.
  5. Web site: Dem. Delaware. September 18, 2019. A Primary for the 26th RD?. October 21, 2020. Blue Delaware. en-US.
  6. Web site: Schmidt. Sophia. September 16, 2020. Diverse slate of progressive candidates upsets Democratic incumbent lawmakers. October 19, 2020. www.delawarepublic.org. en.
  7. News: Progressive challengers unseat two longtime Newark-area Democrats.. . September 16, 2020 . Josh Shannon . live . September 23, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200923073023/https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/progressive-challengers-unseat-two-longtime-newark-area-democrats/article_ce76cc12-11cc-5a79-9691-642e15114d5f.html .
  8. Web site: Meet The Black Woman Who Just Became The First Muslim Elected to Office in Delaware's 233-Year History. October 21, 2020. BOTWC. 24 September 2020 .
  9. Web site: Folley. Aris. September 21, 2020. Madinah Wilson-Anton one step closer to becoming Delaware's first practicing Muslim lawmaker. October 21, 2020. The Hill. en.
  10. Web site: Grim. Ryan. Higgins. Eoin. September 15, 2020. A Slate of Insurgents Is Taking on the "Delaware Way" [Updated With Results]]. October 21, 2020. The Intercept. en-US.
  11. Web site: September 12, 2020. Progressive candidates in Delaware take on veteran Democrats. October 21, 2020. AP News.
  12. Web site: Legislation offers relief to Delaware students observing religious holidays. August 2, 2021. August 2, 2021. Asif. Yusra. Delaware News Journal.
  13. Web site: Religious excused absences expanded in public schools under new law. June 27, 2021. August 2, 2021. Battaglia. Roman. Delaware Public Radio.
  14. Web site: Some Democratic lawmakers calling for one of their own to step down immediately. July 31, 2021. August 2, 2021. Battaglia. Roman. Delaware Public Radio.
  15. News: Edelen . Joseph . November 27, 2023 . Delaware lawmaker joins hunger strike for cease-fire in Gaza . Daily State News . April 8, 2024.
  16. News: Patrick. Holly. December 13, 2023 . Kamala Harris confronted by Democrat state rep over ceasefire during holiday party at her home . . April 8, 2024.
  17. News: Nava. Victor. December 13, 2023 . Kamala Harris heckled by Democratic state lawmaker demanding Gaza cease-fire during holiday party speech . . April 8, 2024.
  18. MadinahForDE . 1775191905803874799 . April 2, 2024 . Biden is a war criminal. . April 8, 2024 .