Nyamal Dei thanks supporters after losing North Dakota State Senate race

South Sudanese-American community leader Nyamal Dei has thanked supporters after losing the Democratic bid for the North Dakota State Senate seat in District 41, saying her commitment to public service remains unchanged.

In a statement addressed to the people of District 41, Dei expressed gratitude to everyone who supported her campaign through voting, volunteering, donations and encouragement, despite the outcome not going as hoped.

“While this election did not bring the outcome we hoped for, my heart is filled with gratitude,” she said.

Dei secured the Democratic Party nomination for the District 41 seat in June, becoming the party’s candidate for the general election.

Announcing her nomination at the time, she thanked the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party for its support and called on residents to back her campaign.

“It’s official: I have secured the Democratic nomination for North Dakota Senate District 41. There is still a lot of work to be done, and I hope I can count on your support,” she said in a Facebook post.

Dei described herself as a mother, former refugee, school board member and community advocate rather than a career politician, saying her personal experiences shaped her decision to seek public office.

“I came here as a little girl who had lost almost everything to war. I grew up learning English, navigating new systems, and working hard in school,” she said, adding that she understood the challenges families face in meeting the costs of rent, childcare and other basic needs.

Originally from Ulang County in Upper Nile State, South Sudan, Dei fled the civil war and lived as a refugee in Ethiopia before relocating to the Ifo refugee camp in northwestern Kenya.

She later resettled in the United States, where she pursued higher education and became active in community leadership.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health from North Dakota State University and a Master of Public Health degree from Benedictine University.

Dei served for four years on the Fargo Board of Education, where she said she was involved in budget discussions and decisions affecting students, families and educators.

She described herself as the first Black woman elected to the Fargo School Board and the first Black woman elected to public office in Fargo.

She is also the founder of Kondial Kel International: South Sudan READ, a Fargo-based nonprofit organisation focused on education and community development through literacy programmes.

The organisation also supports families through education, financial literacy and community initiatives.

During her campaign, Dei outlined three main priorities: providing relief for working families, strengthening public schools and childcare, and promoting a healthy workforce and united communities.

She said her proposed policies included affordable housing, fair and predictable taxes, accessible healthcare and quality childcare, as well as support for teachers and student mental health.

Dei also pledged to support investment aimed at creating jobs, strengthening local businesses and improving infrastructure, while ensuring public spending delivers value to taxpayers.

Her campaign, she said, was about more than winning an election.

“This campaign was always about more than winning an election. It was about giving families a voice, standing up for our children, strengthening our public schools, supporting working families, and building a better future for North Dakota,” she said.

Dei thanked her family, friends, campaign team and volunteers for their time, sacrifices and support throughout the campaign.

Although she did not secure the seat, she said the election outcome would not end her involvement in community service.

“An election ends, but the work of building a better future continues,” she said.

She added that it had been an honour to seek the trust of District 41 residents and pledged to continue serving the community.

“Although we fell short at the ballot box, our commitment to this community remains strong,” Dei said.