As the child of Palestinian immigrant parents, Rashida experienced many of the challenges facing working families. She channeled that experience into public service as an attorney, community organizer, and social worker. Now, as a State Representative, she has made a name for herself as a strong woman leader willing to stand up for her community.

State Senate – Michigan’s 4th District – Challenger. Rashida currently serves in the Michigan State House, and has been endorsed by WCF in the past. This is an opportunity for voters in the 4th district to elect someone who is passionate about governing, invested in the community, and has her constituent’s best interests at heart.

In 2008, Rashida made history by becoming the first Muslim woman elected to the Michigan Legislature, and the second to be elected to any legislature in the nation.

While in office, Rashida has obtained over $3 million in education for before/after school programs and funded the first ever Community Court program, providing alternatives to incarceration for youth.

She also required the Michigan Department of Community Health to launch the first ever cancer cluster in the community study to address the public health impact of living close to a polluting industry and advocated for $1 million for lead abatement programs to protect children from lead poisoning.

She also helped pass a bill assisting low income families to obtain property tax exemption status and restored over a $1 million in cuts to local health clinics.