Ibraheem Samirah
{{Short description|American dentist and politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ibraheem Samirah
| state_delegate = Virginia
| district = 86th
| predecessor = Jennifer Boysko
| successor = Irene Shin
| term_start = February 20, 2019
| term_end = January 12, 2022
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|8|20}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| party = Democratic
| residence = Sterling, Virginia
| alma_mater = American University (BA)
Boston University (DMD)
| occupation = Dentist
| image = SamirahTownHall (cropped).jpg
}}
Ibraheem S. Samirah (born August 20, 1991) is a Jordanian-Palestinian American politician. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 86th district from 2019 to 2022. First elected in a special election, his election and term were marked by controversy due to anti-semitic comments. He was defeated for re-election in the Democratic primary by Irene Shin in June 2021. Following his 2021 defeat, he has made three unsuccessful attempts to return to public office losing in the Democratic Primary each time.
Early life and education
{{COI|section|date=May 2023}}
Samirah was born in Chicago on August 20, 1991 to Jordanian-Palestinian parents.{{cite web|url=https://www.loudountimes.com/news/democrat-ibraheem-samirah-wins-house-of-delegates-th-district-special/article_126bb328-34aa-11e9-b22f-1371037f62c0.html |title=Democrat Ibraheem Samirah wins House of Delegates 86th District special election | News |publisher=loudountimes.com|last=Cline|first=Nathaniel|date=February 19, 2019|access-date=February 20, 2019}} Samirah's grandparents were Palestinian.{{Cite web|title=Exiled as a 'Security' Threat, Former Orland Man May Soon Return|url=https://patch.com/illinois/orlandpark/exiled-as-a-security-threat-former-orland-man-may-soon-return|date=2011-09-09|website=Orland Park, IL Patch|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}} He has described his father as a community activist in the Muslim community.{{Cite web |last1=Beaujon |first1=Andrew |date=October 27, 2019 |title=Ibraheem Samirah Is Nowhere Near Done Messing With the Way Virginia Does Politics |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/10/27/ibraheem-samirah-messing-with-virginia-politics/ |access-date=March 5, 2020 |website=Washingtonian |language=en-US}} In 2003 when Samirah was 11, his father was denied re-entry into the United States as a national security risk. This resulted in the family moving to Amman, Jordan.{{Cite web |last=Moran |first=James |date=March 12, 2010 |title=United States Court of Appeals: Samirah V. Ahscroft |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca7-08-01889/pdf/USCOURTS-ca7-08-01889-0.pdf |access-date=April 3, 2020 |website=Govinfo.Gov}}
File:Baby Ibraheem Samirah with parents.jpgIn 2013, Samirah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and political science from American University.{{cite web|url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/186071/ibraheem-samirah|title=Bio: Ibraheem Samirah|publisher=Vote Smart|access-date=December 31, 2019}} He co-founded a Jewish Voice for Peace chapter at the school and was an observant Muslim throughout college.{{Cite web|url=https://mondoweiss.net/2012/11/a-movement-grows-at-american-university/|title=A movement grows at American University|website=Mondoweiss|date=November 30, 2012|language=en-US|access-date=March 5, 2020}}
He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://marketersmedia.com/dr-ibraheem-samirah-joins-district-smiles-as-senior-dentist-in-tenleytown-dc/480923|title=Dr. Ibraheem Samirah Joins District Smiles As Senior Dentist In Tenleytown DC|website=PressCable|publisher=MarketersMEDIA|date=February 11, 2019|access-date=February 20, 2019}} Samirah was a member of Students for Justice in Palestine
Career
= House of Delegates =
== 2019 Election ==
After Delegate Jennifer Boysko was elected to the Senate of Virginia, Samirah ran for her vacant seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, winning a special election in February 2019.{{cite web|last=Douglas |first=Catherine |url=https://www.restonnow.com/2019/02/20/democrat-ibraheem-samirah-wins-86th-district-seat/ |title=Democrat Ibraheem Samirah Wins 86th District Seat |publisher=Reston Now |date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2019}}{{Cite web |title=2019 February 19 Special: Official Results |url=https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2019%20February%2019%20Special/Site/GeneralAssembly.html |access-date=November 8, 2019 |work=Virginia Department of Elections}} In July 2019, he heckled a speech by Donald Trump.{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Kathryn |date=September 30, 2019 |title=Democratic Virginia state delegate interrupts Trump's speech |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-virginia-state-delegate-interrupts-trumps-speech/ |access-date=August 3, 2019 |website=CBS}}{{Cite web |date=2019-07-30 |title=Muslim Virginia lawmaker heckles Trump at Jamestown speech |url=https://apnews.com/united-states-government-general-news-97ba456f017c4849935c829aafdd970e |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=AP News |language=en}} He ran for reelection unopposed that November.{{Cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ibraheem_Samirah|title=Ibraheem Samirah|website=Ballotpedia|language=en|access-date=March 5, 2020}} In the 2020 session, Samirah backed a bill to allow for expanded absentee voting and recognize election day as a state holiday.{{cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Zach |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Bills to make voting easier advance in Virginia legislature |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bills-to-make-voting-easier-advance-in-virginia-legislature/2020/01/21/b8218a94-3cb1-11ea-afe2-090eb37b60b1_story.html |access-date=January 27, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}
== Claim of Islamophobia ==
In a town hall after his election, he was asked by a constituent whether he planned to implement Sharia law leading Samirah to claim that his faith had been attacked.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-14 |title=Muslim lawmaker says his faith attacked at first town hall |url=https://www.apnews.com/e3378dfaaf094aada79584d6b3114f15 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=AP News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-22 |title=Woman who questioned Muslim delegate about Sharia Law in Virginia says he's playing the 'victim card' |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/he-went-on-to-play-the-victim-card-woman-who-questioned-muslim-delegate-about-sharia-law-in-virginia-says-it-was-appropriate/65-15ec2aee-16c6-427d-91f0-34cdec334e9a |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=wusa9.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-14 |title=Muslim lawmaker says his faith attacked at first town hall |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2019/05/14/muslim-lawmaker-says-his-faith-attacked-at-first-town-hall/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Muslim lawmaker says his faith attacked at first town hall – 105.9 WLNI-FM |url=https://wlni.com/muslim-lawmaker-says-his-faith-attacked-at-first-town-hall/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=en-US}} Over two dozen protesters, some with anti-abortion and pro-Israel signs, protested outside during the town hall.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-13 |title=Muslim state delegate asked how he plans to 'implement Sharia Law in Virginia' during town hall |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/how-do-you-plan-to-implement-sharia-law-in-virginia-why-one-state-delegate-says-he-was-attacked/65-2b298c39-ecc8-41e2-b449-118122fd3a15 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=wusa9.com |language=en-US}}
== 2021 defeat ==
He drew a challenger in the Democratic primary in 2021 and was defeated by non-profit organizer Irene Shin who went on to win the general election.{{Cite web |last=Cline |first=Nathaniel |date=June 9, 2021 |title=Shin unseats Samirah for Democratic nomination in 86th House District race; to face Herndon teacher Julie Perry in November |url=https://www.loudountimes.com/news/shin-unseats-samirah-for-democratic-nomination-in-86th-house-district-race-to-face-herndon-teacher/article_c394c2f2-c927-11eb-853c-4345482f48fb.html |access-date=2021-06-09 |website=Loudoun Times |language=en}} Following his defeat, in October 2021, he posted on social media accusing Mossad of creating fossil fuel wars.{{Cite web |last=Kampeas |first=Ron |date=2021-10-23 |title=Virginia Democratic delegate accuses Mossad of creating 'fossil fuel wars' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/virginia-democratic-delegate-accuses-mossad-of-creating-fossil-fuel-wars/ |website=Times of Israel |agency=JTA}}
= 2023 unsuccessful State Senate campaign =
In 2023, Samirah ran for the Virginia State Senate in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 32nd State Senate District. He was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by Del. Suhas Subramanyam who went on to win the general election.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-20 |title=Subramanyam wins Democratic primary for 32nd District Senate seat in Loudoun |url=https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/subramanyam-wins-democratic-primary-for-32nd-district-senate-seat-in-loudoun/article_c27b0c64-0fca-11ee-98a8-2b3d9aa3df24.html |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=INSIDENOVA.COM |language=en}}
= 2024 unsuccessful State Senate campaign =
In 2024, after Suhas Subramanyam's election to the United States House of Representatives, Samirah ran to replace his seat in a firehouse primary held on November 16, 2024, losing to Del. Kannan Srinivasan.{{Cite web |last=Minock |first=Nick |date=2024-11-07 |title=Virginia Democrat State Senate majority hinges on Loudoun County special election |url=https://www.wjla.com/news/local/2024-special-elections-virginia-senate-district-32-lodoun-county-former-commonwealths-attorney-buta-biberaj-race-senator-suhas-subramanyam-delegate-kannan-srinivasan-republican-democrat-ibraheem-samirah-puja-khanna-sreedhar-nagireddi-governor-youngkin |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=WJLA |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-16 |title=Tumay Harding, Kannan Srinivasan to face off in VA Senate District 32 Special Election |url=https://www.wjla.com/elections/tumay-harding-kannan-srinivasan-virginia-senate-district-32-special-election-republican-democratic-nominees-loudoun-county-dmv-elections-senator-congress-suhas-subramanyam |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=WJLA |language=en}}
= 2024 failed State House comeback attempt =
After losing his campaign for State Senate, Samirah attempted another comeback running for House District 26 in the same year.{{Cite web |last=Minock |first=Nick |date=2024-11-20 |title=Five Loudoun County Democrats face off in a Saturday primary for January special election |url=https://www.wjla.com/news/local/loudoun-county-democrats-face-off-primary-january-special-election-republican-ram-venkatachalam-kannan-srinivasan-tumay-harding-ibraheem-samirah-jj-singh-lakesha-gorham-mcdurfee-arben-istrefi-sam-nandi |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=WJLA |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Vozzella |first=Laura |title=Democratic primary set for Virginia Del. Srinivasan’s Loudoun-based seat |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/11/21/democratic-primary-virginia-loudoun-srinivasan-house/ |work=Washington Post}} His residency in the district was questioned during the campaign.{{Cite web |last=Minock |first=Nick |date=2024-11-20 |title=Five Loudoun County Democrats face off in a Saturday primary for January special election |url=https://www.wjla.com/news/local/loudoun-county-democrats-face-off-primary-january-special-election-republican-ram-venkatachalam-kannan-srinivasan-tumay-harding-ibraheem-samirah-jj-singh-lakesha-gorham-mcdurfee-arben-istrefi-sam-nandi |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=WJLA |language=en}} JJ Singh won the election with Samirah coming in third.{{Cite web |last=Pampaloni |first=Hanna |date=2024-11-23 |title=Singh Earns Democratic Nomination in 26th House District Primary |url=https://www.loudounnow.com/news/singh-earns-democratic-nomination-in-26th-house-district-primary/article_7962ad6e-a9f9-11ef-88c8-d7821ecf6a75.html |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=LoudounNow.com |language=en}}
Antisemitism controversy
In 2014, Samirah made a series of anti-Israel posts on his Facebook account. One post reshared a letter which stated that funding Israel is like supporting the Ku Klux Klan.{{Cite news |last=Olivo |first=Antonio |date=February 19, 2019 |title=Va. Democrat who was attacked for remarks against Israel wins election for House seat |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/va-democrat-attacked-for-remarks-against-israel-wins-election-for-house-seat/2019/02/19/56d0cb08-3454-11e9-854a-7a14d7fec96a_story.html |access-date=November 13, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} On another post, Samirah wrote in response to the death of former prime minister of Israel Ariel Sharon that “hell is excited to have you.” Samirah issued an apology for these posts in 2019 after a right-leaning website, which also broke news that led to the 2019 Virginia political crisis, publicized the posts. After he was defeated in the primary in 2021, he posted on social media accusing Mossad of creating fossil fuel wars.
Electoral history
= February 2019 special election =
After Jennifer Boysko was elected to the Senate of Virginia, Samirah ran in the special election to complete the remainder of her term in February 2019.
| class="wikitable" | |||||
| Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| colspan="6" | Virginia House of Delegates, 86th district | |||||
| rowspan="4" |January 12, 2019{{cite web |date=January 12, 2019 |title=Samirah wins Democratic nomination for 86th House of Delegates District special election |url=https://www.loudountimes.com/news/politics/samirah-wins-democratic-nomination-for-86th-house-of-delegates-district-special-election/article_d7b93720-16cf-11e9-822d-af088c6cd370.html |accessdate=2023-01-07 |publisher=Loudoun Times-Mirror}}
| rowspan="4" align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic primary | colspan="2" | Ibraheem S. Samirah |733 |35.8 | |||||
| colspan="2" | Kofi Annan
|615 |30.0 | |||||
| colspan="2" | Mike O'Reilly
|503 |24.6 | |||||
| colspan="2" |Chad Thompson
|196 |9.6 | |||||
| rowspan="5" | February 19, 2019
| rowspan="5" align="center" | Special | Ibraheem S. Samirah | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" | 3,740 | align="right" | 59.5 | |||||
| Gregg G. Nelson
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | align="right" | 2,162 | align="right" | 34.4 | |||||
| Connie H. Hutchinson
| {{party shading/Independent}} | Independent | align="right" | 370 | align="right" | 5.9 | |||||
| colspan="2" | Write Ins
| align="right" | 13 | align="right" | 0.2 | |||||
| colspan="4" style="background:Beige" | Jennifer Boysko resigned; seat stayed Democratic |
= 2019 general election =
Following his win in the 2019 special election, Samirah was unopposed for reelection in the November general election.
| class="wikitable" | |||||
| Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| colspan="6" | Virginia House of Delegates, 86th district | |||||
| rowspan="2" |November 5, 2019{{Cite web |title=2019 November General: Official Results |url=https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2019%20November%20General/Site/GeneralAssembly.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107055712/https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2019%20November%20General/Site/GeneralAssembly.html |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |access-date=November 8, 2019 |work=Virginia Department of Elections}}
| rowspan="2" align="center" |General |Ibraheem S. Samirah | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | align="right" |14,730 | align="right" |88.9 | |||||
| colspan="2" | Write Ins
| align="right" |1,836 | align="right" |11.1 |
= 2021 general election primary =
Samirah filed for reelection in 2021. However, he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Irene Shin.
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Date | Election | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| colspan="5" | Virginia House of Delegates, 86th district | ||||
| rowspan="2" |June 8, 2021{{Cite web |title=2021 June Democratic Primary |url=https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2021%20June%20Democratic%20Primary/Site/GeneralAssembly.html |access-date=2021-06-11 |website=results.elections.virginia.gov |archive-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114203430/https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2021%20June%20Democratic%20Primary/Site/GeneralAssembly.html |url-status=dead }}
| rowspan="2" align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic primary |3,415 |51.7 | ||||
| Ibraheem S. Samirah
|3,185 |48.3 |
= 2023 general election =
Samirah unsuccessfully ran for State Senate in 2023 and was defeated in the primary by Suhas Subramanyam.
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Date | Election | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| colspan="5" | Virginia State Senate, 32nd district | ||||
| rowspan="2" |June 20, 2023{{Cite web|title=2023 June Democratic Primary|url=https://enr.elections.virginia.gov/results/public/LOUDOUNCOUNTY/elections/2023DEMPRI/ballot-items/83ab83b3-c74a-471b-b0cf-b995a02053cd|access-date=2023-07-14|website=elections.virginia.gov}}
| rowspan="2" align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic primary |11,178 |73.7 | ||||
| Ibraheem S. Samirah
|4,000 |26.4 |
= 2024 special election =
After Suhas Subramanyam's election to the United States House of Representatives, a special election was held for his vacant seat.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Srinivasan and Samirah announce run for Subramanyam Senate seat |url=https://www.virginiascope.com/srinivasan-and-samirah-announce-run-for-subramanyam-senate-seat/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=VA Scope |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-12 |title=Special election scheduled for Jan. 7, 2025, to fill vacant Virginia Senate seat |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/politics/elections/special-election-scheduled-to-fill-vacant-virginia-senate-seat/65-57b2c068-1877-4775-909e-5e23cebf921e |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=WUSA9 |language=en-US}}
| class="wikitable"
!Date !Election !Candidate !Votes ! % |
| colspan="5" |Virginia House of Delegates, 32nd district |
|---|
| rowspan="6" |November 13, 2024{{Cite web |date=2024-11-17 |title=BREAKING: Del. Kannan Srinivasan Wins Democratic Nomination for Upcoming (1/7/25) Virginia SD32 Special Election |url=https://bluevirginia.us/2024/11/breaking-del-kannan-srinivasan-wins-democratic-nomination-for-upcoming-sd32-special-election |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Blue Virginia |language=en-US}}
| rowspan="6" align="center" {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic primary |2,698 |44.5% |
| Ibraheem Samirah
|1,288 |21.2% |
| Buta Biberaj
|823 |13.6% |
| Sreedhar Nagireddi
|574 |9.5% |
| Hurunnessa Fariad
|428 |7.1% |
| Puja Khanna
|254 |4.2% |
Personal life
Samirah lives in Sterling, Virginia.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|url=https://www.samirahforstatesenate.com/}}
{{CongLinks|votesmart=186071}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samirah, Ibraheem}}
Category:People from Herndon, Virginia
Category:Politicians from Chicago
Category:American politicians of Palestinian descent
Category:Democratic Party members of the Virginia House of Delegates
Category:Muslims from Virginia
Category:21st-century American legislators
Category:American University alumni
Category:Boston University alumni