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Refugee and Immigrant Advocate Kayse Jama Is Endorsed by Rep. Jeff Reardon for Oregon Senate Seat The community leader seeks the District 24 seat that would make him Oregon’s first Muslim and former refugee in the Senate. Kayse Jama and Shemia Fagan in 2018. (Daniel Stindt) Updated December 9, 2020 In 2018, racial justice advocate Kayse Jama made an unsuccessful bid for the Oregon Senate, finishing behind Sen. Shemia Fagan (D-East Portland). But with Fagan headed for statewide office, Jama increasingly looks like the front-runner to be appointed to her seat.