Read below for some of our top priorities

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Immigrant Safety &amp; ICE Accountability

Safe Streets &amp; Safe Routes to School

Property Tax &amp; Fiscal Accountability

Clean Water &amp; Environmental Justice

<h3>Fighting for Our Community</h3>These are some of the top priorities our campaign is focused on.

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The issues at the heart of this campaign are the everyday realities people in Ward 1 are living right now—housing that is increasingly out of reach, public safety that must be both effective and community-centered, youth who need real opportunities and support, and a local government that feels too distant from the people it serves. This campaign is rooted in the belief that Ward 1 deserves leadership that listens first, acts with urgency, and centers the voices of residents most impacted by city decisions. AJ’s approach is simple: show up, stay connected to the community, and focus on practical solutions that make daily life more affordable, safe, and equitable for everyone.

Our Campaign’s Top Issues

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<h2>Why I’m Running</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/fa068abe-2bae-4720-a1fc-7961c13daa71/990623e4-495d-4274-aa4f-afe8badb5537/990623e4-495d-4274-aa4f-afe8badb5537.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=6&amp;con=10&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=98%2C157%2C926%2C867&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="42.5" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h3>AJ is running because he believes Ward 1 deserves leadership that is present, responsive, and grounded in the lived experiences of its residents.</h3>He has seen firsthand how decisions made at the local level impact families in real time—whether through housing affordability, access to resources, public safety, or the quality of public information during moments of crisis. During COVID-19 and beyond, he has watched communities step up for one another while too often navigating systems that feel distant or unresponsive.This campaign is about changing that. It’s about making sure that we not only speak about residents, but also actively hear and include them in the decisions that shape their daily lives. AJ is stepping forward not as a career politician, but as a neighbor committed to listening, learning, and showing up consistently for Ward 1.

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Rooted in Community. Driven by Service. Leadership that shows up.

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Abdilahi Jama (AJ) was born in Somalia and raised in Minneapolis by immigrant parents who came to this country in search of stability, opportunity, and a better future for their children. His upbringing was shaped by hard work, sacrifice, and a simple value: when you show up for your neighbors, you build something stronger together.He attended Spring Lake Park High School, where he began to see both the promise of his community and the gaps that too often hold it back. After graduating, he stayed close to home and began his college journey at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, balancing school, work, and community responsibilities. He is now a rising junior at the University of Minnesota.AJ is not a career politician. He’s a neighbor who stepped into public life because he saw too many people in his community being left out of decisions that directly affect their daily lives.During the COVID-19 pandemic, he watched essential workers in his community continue showing up while facing barriers to clear, culturally competent public health information and support. Since then, he has seen the same pattern persist: residents organizing, speaking up, and still not always being heard by the systems meant to serve them.Professionally, AJ works with the Tanzania Life Project, helping build clean water systems in rural communities. That work has shaped his understanding of leadership: that basic needs matter, systems should work for people, and accountability is not optional.He also serves as a DFL delegate and sits on the State Central Committee, giving him a firsthand view of how decisions are made—and how often everyday voices are left out of those spaces.AJ is 22 years old, Black, Muslim, and Somali-born. He represents a generation that is not waiting its turn but stepping up because the urgency of now demands it.He brings lived experience, deep community roots, and a commitment to listening, learning, and showing up consistently—not just during election season, but every day.Ward 1 is home. And AJ is running to make sure the people who live here feel seen, heard, and represented in every decision that shapes their lives.

Meet AJ

<h2>How to handle donations on your website</h2>Run does not process donations directly on our platform, as is standard with most political and advocacy sites.Campaigns are often required to comply with reporting requirements, donation limits, and other regulations, so using a donation processor that specializes in serving campaigns is generally a good idea. Sign up with a donation processor and then on your Pages sidebar, click the Link icon on the Donate page and add the link to your donation page. Some common options for donation processing include:<ul><li><a href="https://secure.actblue.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ActBlue</a></li><li><a href="https://www.campaigndeputy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Campaign Deputy</a> </li><li><a href="https://goodchange.app/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GoodChange</a></li><li><a href="https://numero.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Numero</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ngpvan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NGP VAN</a></li></ul>

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This campaign is powered by people—not politics as usual. Every conversation, every door knock, every phone call, and every dollar helps build a Ward 1 where residents feel seen, heard, and represented.If you believe in leadership that shows up, listens closely, and works alongside the community, there’s a place for you here. Sign up to volunteer, stay informed, or support the campaign—however you’re able to get involved makes a real difference.Together, we’re building a campaign rooted in community, driven by service, and focused on real change for Ward 1.

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Have a question, idea, or want to get involved? AJ and the campaign team would love to hear from you. This campaign is built on listening to the community and staying connected to the people of Ward 1.Use the form below to send a message, sign up to volunteer, or request additional information about the campaign.You can also reach us directly at: Email: <a href="mailto:ajforfridleycitycouncil@gmail.com">ajforfridleycitycouncil@gmail.com</a> Phone: X

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AJ is running because he believes local government should reflect the people it serves—not sit above them.

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<h2>Filing Day — May 19, 2026</h2>AJ officially files for candidacy for Fridley Ward 1 city council. Follow along on TikTok and Instagram @AJforFridley

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When I walk down University Ave I feel the weight of what this street has been through. I see the families who were here when ICE came to our neighborhood. I see kids who should be walking to school without fear. This is my street. I've lived here since 2018. And I'm running because nobody at city hall feels what I feel when they walk it.

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