Tuesday, May 19, 2026 is a primary election day in many states across America. Among the candidates vying for elected positions are two Liberians, Joseph Sackor of District 185 in Pennsylvania and Wynfred Russel of electoral district 38A in Minnesota. These two candidates live in two states that are far apart from each other in distance and climates. Pennsylvania, where Joe Sackor is running, is on the East Coast and Russell's state of Minnesota is in the Midwest. Though they are far apart in terms of distance and climate, what the two states have in common are the huge Liberian populations in both states. Some would say that Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs in Pennsylvania have the largest concentrations of Liberians in the US. Others maintain that the largest population of Liberians is in Minnesota. Both Sackor and Russel are Liberian immigrants and they are running for state representative positions in the two states.
For over 20 years, Joe Sackor has been very active in the advocacy for refugees and immigrants in the US. While he advocates for refugees and immigrants in the US, he also carries out annual medical missions to Liberia under the banner of his organization, Liberia Medical Mission. Through this mission, Mr. Sackor has distributed millions of dollars worth of medicines and medical equipment to Liberia. His mission provides free treatments to Liberians in various counties and donates medical equipment to health facilities in the country. Whether through the Liberia Medical Mission or his refugee and immigration advocacy in the US, Joe Sackor has gained much respect and admiration over the years. He started his humanitarian involvement during the Liberian civil war when he was very instrumental in the establishment of the UN sponsored refugee school programs in Guinea for Liberian students. Today, there are thousands of students in and outside Liberia who credit their pre-college education to the efforts of Joe Sackor and others in Guinea. That mission of service has continued for more than three decades between Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and the USA. Joe is a quiet giant in the cause he believes in.
When the war started in the 1990s, Mr. Sackor was two months away from graduating from college. He and many Liberians sought refuge in Guinea. It was during those days in Guinea that Joe Sackor and fellow refugees petitioned the UN to establish the Liberian Refugee Student Committee. Through such efforts, UNHCR established more than 1500 schools for the Liberian refugees in Guinea. These schools ranged from kindergarten to high school. Ever since he moved to the states in 1999, Mr. Sackor has engaged in different kinds of humanitarian efforts. This time around, he has been an advocate for the refugee or immigrant benefits. When he arrived in the US, Mr. Sackor continued his academic journey, earning dual BSc in Management Information Systems from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Several years later, he graduated with dual master degrees from Devry University. He works as Senior System Analyst at the Children Hospital in Philadelphia. Joe's opponent in this primary election is State Representative, Reginald Young who is an incumbent.
Mr. Wynfred Russel is a former Brooklyn Park City Council member. In 2024, he ran unsuccessfully against another African immigrant, a Kenyan, Huldah Hiltsley for the state representative position in District 38A. His current run is his second time running for the same position. If he wins, it will be a historic victory. It will be the first time a Liberian would have won that seat. Mr. Russell is running to replace the retiring state Representative, Mike Nelson as he promises to "continue the hard work Mike Nelson has done for Brooklyn Park." Despite his political and community engagement in the US state politics, Mr. Russell makes frequent trips to Liberia delivering humanitarian support to his homeland. His recent trip to Liberia was part of the efforts his organization, SARX, is making to bring the Liberian national team, the Lone Star, to play against the Minnesota United FC at the Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. To facilitate this game which will coincide with the July 26 celebration of Liberia's independence day celebration, Mr. Russell traveled to Liberia to meet officials, including meeting with President Joseph Boakai at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia. According to the information available on his Facebook page, "SARX and the community steering committee wish to express our profound appreciation to President Joseph Boakai for meeting us and for his steadfast commitment to the Liberian National Football Team." He praised the president for the support of the national team as it prepares for an international friendly match. This historic event will be a celebration of sports and culture, something that resonates very much with the Liberian community in the State of Minnesota.
Both Mr. Sackor and Russell are historic candidates for the representative positions in two states with huge Liberian populations. Though they need the support of every voter in their respective electoral districts, the support of the Liberian communities will be very crucial for their victories. If they win the elections, they will be making history for Liberia and Liberians at home and in the US. As such, we can only wish them well in their political quest to represent their respective districts.
