Syed was born and raised in Illinois.[2] Her parents immigrated to Palatine from Hyderabad,India during the 1980s.[2] Syed graduated from high school in Palatine,where she served on her school's Congressional Debate team and earned several accolades and awards.[2][3] She is Muslim.[2] She completed a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California,Berkeley.[4]
Syed said she was inspired to become involved in politics in 2016—when she was a senior in high school—by the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment in the country at the time,associated with Donald Trump.[5]
Syed previously worked for the non-profit CivicNation as an assistant director of Digital Strategy.[6] She is now a full-time legislator. [7]
Illinois House of Representatives
Syed ran for state representative for the 51st District in 2022,against incumbent RepublicanChris Bos.
Syed said she ran for the House at the urging of her friend. In one of the tightest and closest-watched General Assembly races that year,Syed focused her campaign on abortion access,healthcare affordability,and property tax reform. Bos opposed abortion rights. Syed out-raised Bos nine to one.[5]
Syed defeated Bos with 22,775 votes (53.28%) to the incumbent's 20,847 votes (46.72%).[8]
Tenure
She took office on January 11,2023. Elected at 23 years old,Syed is one of the youngest people and one of the only Muslims to ever serve in the General Assembly.[5]
Electoral history
2022
In 2022,Syed won the Democratic nomination and incumbent Chris Bos won the Republican nomination for the 51st district. In the general election,Syed defeated Bos with 22,775 votes (53.28%) to the incumbent's 20,847 votes (46.72%).[8]
Illinois 51st State House District Democratic Primary,2022[9]
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