27-year-old refugee defeats life-long Harmony resident in Democratic major for state rep

At first, Safiya Wazir couldn’t imagine what she was listening to. A second later, it sunk in – after a protracted day on her ft, Wazir, a pregnant 27-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, defeated lifelong Heights resident and four-term District 17 state incumbent Rep. Dick Patten, overcoming an opponent who mentioned her lack of expertise and standing as a refugee would harm her marketing campaign. As an alternative, Wazir mentioned these very issues – in addition to her drive to attach with voters by doorknocking, thank-you notes and election reminders – buoyed her marketing campaign. “They had been very excited there was somebody new operating for the…