__NOTOC__ Ruqaiyah Khadijah "Kiah" Morris (born March 14, 1976) is an American politician who formerly served as a member of the Vermont House of Representatives for the Democratic Party.
Early life and education Born in Chicago, Morris earned a B.A. in Gender Studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a graduate degree from Roosevelt University.
Political career Morris was first elected in 2014 alongside longtime Republican representative Mary A. Morrissey. The two were reelected in 2016 after running unopposed. The only African American woman in the state legislature, Morris announced in August 2018 that she would not seek reelection to a third term following a campaign of racist threats against her and her family. She resigned the following month, citing as an additional factor the desire to focus on her husband's recovery from open-heart surgery.
Morris has also served as director of the Alliance for Community Transformations, based in Bennington.
Electoral history
Date Election Candidate Party Votes % Vermont House of Representatives, Bennington 2-2 district Nov 4, 2014 General Mary A. Morrissey Republican 1,241 42.49 Kiah Morris Democratic 873 29.89 Joann Erenhouse Democratic 797 27.29 Write-Ins 10 0.33 Anne Lamy Mook did not seek reelection; seat stayed Democratic Nov 8, 2016 General Mary A. Morrissey Republican 2,143 54.61 Kiah Morris Democratic 1,757 44.78 Write-Ins 24 0.61
Personal life Morris is married to James Lawton. They have a son.
Films
Documentary
Backlash: Misogyny in the Digital Age. Canada. 2022. La Ruelle Films. Dir. Léa Clermont-Dion, Guylaine Maroist. [Je vous salue salope: la misogynie au temps du numérique] (French version).
References
External links Profile at Vote Smart Twitter account