Nabeela Syed

Nabeela Syed is an American politician and Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 51st district. The 51st district, located in Chicago's north suburbs, includes all or parts of Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove, Lake Zurich, Deer Park, Kildeer, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg.^[1]

Nabeela Syed
Syed in 2023
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 51st district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2023 (2023-01-11)
Preceded by	Chris Bos
Personal details
Born	(1999-04-10) April 10, 1999 (age 26) Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University of California

Early life

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]

Political career

In 2021, Syed served as Campaign Manager for Township High School District 211 School Board Member Tim McGowan. According to her LinkedIn profile, she served as a Marketing and Development intern at EMILY'S List.

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 Republican Chris 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. At 24, 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]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Nabeela Syed	7,103	72.18
	Democratic	Chelsea Laliberte Barnes	2,737	27.82
Total votes			9,840	100.0

Illinois 51st State House District General Election, 2022^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Nabeela Syed	23,775	53.28%
	Republican	Chris Bos	20,847	46.72%
Total votes

Illinois 51st State House District General Election, 2024^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Nabeela Syed	32,311	56.18%
	Republican	Tosi Ufodike	25,203	43.82%
Total votes