A Nigerian-American Democrat, Oye Owolewa has been re-elected as a Shadow Representative for the District of Columbia (DC). Owolewa first made history in November 2020 when he became the first Nigerian-American elected to the U.S. Congress, although in a non-voting capacity. In this recent election, he secured a significant victory with 164,026 votes, which accounted for 82.84% of the total votes cast.
As a Shadow Representative, Owolewa’s position is unique. While not officially recognized as a full member of Congress with voting powers, his role involves advocating for the interests of DC residents, particularly their pursuit of statehood. This advocacy is crucial for the District of Columbia, which lacks full representation in Congress despite its residents paying federal taxes.
Owolewa expressed his gratitude to the voters of DC for their support in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), thanking the organizations that have supported, partnered with, and endorsed him. His re-election underscores his ongoing commitment to championing the cause of DC statehood, an issue that has been a central focus of his work since taking office.
The position of Shadow Representative was established to help address the disenfranchisement of DC residents at the federal level. Although Shadow Representatives do not have the power to vote on legislation, they play a significant role in lobbying for the district’s rights and advocating for state-level recognition. Owolewa’s efforts are part of a broader movement pushing for DC to become the 51st state, which would grant its residents full congressional representation.
