Rep. Salman Bhojani additionally made historical past as first south Asian ever elected to the TX Legislature
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — State Representative Salman Bhojani is used to being a “first.”
In 2018, he made historical past when he turned the primary particular person of colour to carry elected workplace within the Fort Worth suburb of Euless.
Now, he’s made historical past once more as one of many first two Muslims and south Asians ever elected to the Texas Legislature.
And the Democrat, who now represents Tarrant County’s District 92, joined our newest episode of Y’all-itics to debate what he hopes to perform as a minority member of the minority celebration in a conservative state.
“I’m Muslim, but there’s so much work to be done for the entire community that there is a lot more in common. And that’s the three things I want to work on, right? Continue to build on our economy, to make sure that we have quality healthcare and access to good healthcare, and then we have world class schools,” he mentioned as he outlined a part of his plan. “I mean, we are the 9th largest economy in the world. If we can’t afford world-class schools, who else can?”
Originally from Pakistan, Bhojani moved to the United States along with his dad and mom when he was 19.
He turned a naturalized citizen and earned a level from UT-Dallas and have become a small enterprise proprietor, operating a number of gasoline stations and comfort shops. Bhojani finally earned a legislation diploma from SMU and began his personal legislation agency.
Rep. Bhojani is coming into a divided state authorities filled with rancor.
And the legislature hasn’t all the time been form to Muslims.
In 2007, then state Senator Dan Patrick boycotted the Texas Senate’s first-ever prayer by a Muslim Cleric. Patrick is now the state’s Lieutenant Governor who presides over the Senate. And since that second, the Republican has mentioned he’s tolerant of all faiths.
Now just a few weeks into the job, Rep. Bhojani says he hasn’t but skilled any intolerance, negativity, and even outright racism.
“Everybody’s really been really warm and cordial, you know. Every single state Representative. I can’t say anybody that’s been really rude to me or mean to me, even the constituents. Anybody that I’ve had conversations with has been really cordial. So, that has been refreshing. I mean, I can’t tell you that I was expecting that,” mentioned the Democrat.
But it hasn’t all the time been that manner, or that simple.
The Representative tells us he had a gun pulled on him whereas he was door-knocking throughout his marketing campaign. Plenty of others, he says, have advised him to return to Pakistan.
And that’s why he says it’s vital he attempt to do issues the precise manner, oftentimes a part of the burden of being a primary.
It’s vital, he argues, as a result of he is aware of children are watching… and emulating.
“And I think I wanted to make a statement for the community and for so many youth within the Muslim community that are looking at me and saying, ‘Hey, you know, he’s really carrying the mantle for us and really representing our community in a positive way,’” he mentioned.
Part of that plan contains relentless outreach.
Rep. Bhojani’s personal son helped to hatch an elaborate plan for the lawmaker to take a selfie with each single Representative and Senator on the Texas Capitol.
“I think I’m at 141 already taken. So, if you go to bojhanifortexas.com, you’ll see all the selfies I’ve taken with each individual Representative and Senator. And so, I have about 40 more,” the Democrat advised us. “And the reason I sort of joke around with that is, well, because it’s so important to build a one-on-one relationship with my colleagues. I did on Euless City Council.”
Even the Quran Rep. Bhojani used to take his oath of workplace is historic. To be taught why, hearken to the total episode of Y’all-itics. Cheers!
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