Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona elected to lead new batch of House Democrats in Congress

PHOENIX — Newly elected U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari is already showing Congress the leadership skills she learned in Arizona.

On Wednesday, Ansari was elected as the Democratic freshman class president for the U.S. House.

This role makes her responsible for being a liaison between the fresh batch of federal policymakers joining Congress for the first time and Democratic party leadership.

“I’m honored by this vote of trust from my fellow freshman class,” Ansari said in a statement. “We’ve spent the last 10 days getting to know each other and finding our footing and I can already tell how much I will value these relationships as we all navigate our new roles.”

Ansari is moving on to Washington after a stint on the Phoenix City Council that included time as vice mayor.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego congratulated her former colleague on becoming the Democratic freshman class president.

“Already representing Arizona well,” Gallego said in a social media post.

Congratulations to Rep-elect @yassaminansari on being elected to the leadership of her Congressional class! Already representing Arizona well. https://t.co/qBAHvM8vQD

— Kate Gallego (@KateWGallego) November 20, 2024

CD3 Rep. Yassamin Ansari happy to be Democratic freshman class president

Ansari said she looks forward to serving her fellow crop of newly elected legislators, who elected her to the role.

“I believe I can serve our class deeply and meaningfully by instilling a sense of camaraderie, support and community at a time when it is most needed,” Ansari said.

Ansari will represent Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, taking over for Ruben Gallego, who won a U.S. Senate seat.

At 32, Ansari will be the youngest woman in Congress after taking office in January. She also is the first Iranian-American from Arizona to be elected to the U.S. House.

“I plan on working with the Republican freshman president to hold quarterly programming for the entire class, to foster bipartisan relationships,” Ansari said.

Despite her openness to reaching across the aisle, Ansari expressed her enthusiasm for Red to Blue, a program that aims to help Democrats take over the majority in Congress.

“Following my primary election, I raised $100,000 for the DCCC through the True Blue program, an amount that I intend to build upon in the coming years to help ensure we win back the House majority in 2026,” Ansari said.

She said she’s looking forward to use her role to improve communication between Democrats and voters.

She said the party has been grappling with the future and how to reach people where they are.

“I also believe my service as class president is a small signal to Democratic voters, and especially young people, that the party is ready for new, diverse voices in Congress to be given opportunities to lead,” Ansari said.