A Somali-born Democrat politician and daycare owner in Minnesota is returning to electoral politics even as the state’s childcare sector faces a sprawling fraud scandal that has drawn national scrutiny and could total billions of dollars.
Abdi Daisane, a Democrat, announced on Christmas Eve that he plans to run for the state Legislature again in 2026.
The announcement comes two years after he lost a race to a Republican incumbent.
Daisane previously ran unsuccessfully for the St. Cloud City Council in 2016.
In 2018, he opened Blooming Kids Child Center in St. Cloud, saying he saw rising demand for early-childhood services in the region.
Affordable childcare has remained a core theme of his political messaging.
Ahead of his 2024 loss, Daisane told the St. Cloud Times:
“There’s higher needs for childcare in greater Minnesota, so when I saw the need for childcare, and I found the opportunity to open one, I jumped on it.”
Daisane has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the alleged fraud.
However, his business record has drawn scrutiny.
Blooming Kids Child Center is licensed for up to 113 children.
It has been cited multiple times by the Minnesota Department of Human Services for violations of state requirements.
Since 2021, regulators documented recurring deficiencies at the facility across multiple years, including missing medical records for children, incomplete documentation verifying staff qualifications, staffing shortages, and poorly maintained equipment.
According to the outlet, all of the cited violations were later corrected.
Daisane accepted responsibility for the infractions but argued the state shares blame, pointing to industry-wide workforce shortages tied to low wages and limited benefits, according to the Times.
Now, as Minnesota confronts the fallout from sweeping fraud allegations tied to childcare and other public programs, Daisane is seeking another chance with voters.
He is hoping they will overlook the turbulence surrounding the industry as he mounts his 2026 campaign.
Blooming Kids Child Center has yet to be investigated for legitimacy.
READ MORE – Whistleblower Exposes Massive Somali Fraud Scam in Ohio
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.