Meet Haji

Yusuf Haji is a homeowner, small business owner, husband, and proud father. Twenty-five years ago, he arrived in Minnesota as a Somali immigrant from Kenya.

One of Haji’s first jobs in Minnesota was working for Home Depot here in Burnsville while also working part-time for the Minnesota Vikings as a security officer. As fate would have it, here he is running to represent Burnsville as our next county commissioner. He has worked at low wage jobs, encountered lack of affordable housing, and experienced transportation challenges. Nevertheless, Haji was determined to find success.

One evening in late 2001, after working his shift at Avis rent-a-car, Haji attended a rally in South Minneapolis that was being addressed by Senator Paul Wellstone. Paul said, "A politics that is not sensitive to the concerns and circumstances of people's lives, a politics that does not speak to and include people, is an intellectually arrogant politics that deserves to fail." That’s the kind of politics Haji will bring to the Dakota County Board.

Haji graduated from St. Cloud State with a degree in Mass Communications. He is working on a Masters in Leadership from Ausburg university. He has also previously worked for the Minnesota Department of Revenue as an Outreach Coordinator.

Haji has started several businesses, which include a multilingual communication company and an online organic cosmetics business. His latest venture is a community event center in Burnsville, aiming to create a space for community gatherings, cultural events, and celebrations.

Haji lives in Burnsville with his wife Anisa, a community mental health professional, and their children, Ahmed, Amina, Asad, Aahil, and Adam. Their children attend Burnsville public schools.

Haji is also an author of numerous articles that work to bring our communities together.

Haji is running for Dakota County Commissioner in District 5.