Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive House faction known as the “Squad” and a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, emerged victorious in her primary race in Minnesota.
Omar successfully defended her seat in Minnesota’s 5th District, defeating former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, whom she narrowly beat in the 2022 primary.
Addressing her supporters in Minneapolis, Omar echoed the themes of the Harris-Walz presidential campaign, emphasizing the importance of fighting for neighbors and advocating for essential rights like housing and healthcare.
Omar avoided the fate of two fellow Squad members, Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who lost their primary races. Bush and Bowman faced significant financial challenges, with the United Democracy Project pumping millions of dollars into their opponents’ campaigns.
RELATED STORY| Rep. Cori Bush, ‘The Squad’ member, loses primary reelection bid
Samuels criticized Omar’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, arguing that she was biased and divisive. He also highlighted public safety concerns in Minneapolis, referencing the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in 2020.
Expressing disappointment over his loss, Samuels acknowledged the influence of money in politics, as Omar outpaced him in fundraising.
In the upcoming general election, Omar will face Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi, who has criticized Omar as pro-Hamas.
In other primary election results, Royce White won the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in November, while Joe Teirab secured the GOP nomination for Minnesota’s 2nd District seat.
The race between Teirab and Democratic Rep. Angie Craig is expected to be highly competitive in November.
Meanwhile, the clash between establishment and grassroots Republicans played out in various districts, with incumbents and challengers vying for nominations.
In legislative primaries, Democrats selected Ann Johnson Stewart to face Republican Kathleen Fowke in a pivotal race that could determine the party’s control of the state Senate.
Overall, the primary results set the stage for a closely watched and contentious general election in Minnesota.
