ROCHESTER, Minn. – After only three months on the campaign trail, candidate Regina Mustafa announced that she will suspend her campaign for congress in Minnesota’s 1st congressional district.
Mustafa, a Democrat, was running for the seat currently held by Rep. Tim Walz, who announced his bid for Minnesota Governor in 2018.
Mustafa stated in a press release on social media, “This has been an incredible opportunity and an invaluable experience meeting people from all walks of life. I will continue to serve my city and state as I have been for years. The concerns and issues of the people of Southern Minnesota will continue to be at the forefront of my thoughts and efforts.”
#mn01 DFL candidate Regina Mustafa announces she’s suspending her campaign. pic.twitter.com/H9Adsj47AK
— Heather J. Carlson (@PBhcarlson) October 13, 2017
KTTC-TV reports that Mustafa gave no reason as to why she is withdrawing from the race. Mustafa, who suffers from Stargardt’s Disease and is legally blind, did tweet out that because she is unable to drive, found it challenging to campaign around the congressional district.
being legally blind and not able to drive – getting out across CD1 is very challenging – I know I am not as visible because of it.
— Regina Mustafa (@cidi_cidimn) October 12, 2017
A community activist, the host of Faith Talk Show and a Muslim, Mustafa is a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump on Twitter. On her still active campaign website, Mustafa calls herself a “strong, compassionate, progressive, and an uniter for these divisive times.” She formed the nonprofit organization Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam in 2014. She is married and the mother of two children.
With Mustafa’s withdrawal, the race remains crowded with nine candidates vying for Walz’s seat. Web developer Johnny Akzam, U.S. Army veteran Dan Feehan, former state senator Vicki Jensen, businessman Colin Minehart, former professor Bob Ries, and attorneys Joe Sullivan and Rich Wright are running as Democrats, while Jim Hagedorn and state Sen. Carla Nelson are on the Republican ticket.