U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar has successfully fended off a primary challenge from former Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election.
Omar’s victory is seen as a win for progressive factions in Minneapolis and critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Recently, pro-Israel advocates have managed to oust two members of the “Squad” in Democratic primaries, but Omar appears poised for re-election, facing minimal opposition in the upcoming November election.
The primary contest for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District lacked the extensive external funding seen in other Squad races. Samuels had previously challenged Omar in the 2022 primary, losing by just two percentage points. This year, he argued that her focus on national issues has left local problems unaddressed.
Preliminary results indicate that Omar’s margin of victory will be greater than in 2022. Speaking at her election night event, Omar described the campaign as one of the most brutal she has ever experienced, stating, “We had an opponent that was willing to align with literal Nazis in order to defeat us.”
In her previous campaign against Samuels, Omar did not engage significantly, only to come alarmingly close to losing. This time, she campaigned vigorously, investing $450,000 in advertisements prior to the primary, based on her July finance report.
Now seeking a third term, Omar blends her role as a notable progressive leader in Washington with the traditional responsibilities of a congressional member, including assisting constituents with federal issues and supporting local initiatives in her district.
Omar is optimistic about potentially returning to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, from which she was removed by the current GOP majority under allegations of antisemitism, despite having unanimous backing from her own caucus, including Jewish Democratic colleagues.
Voters expressed their support for Omar, with Katherine Byrn, a University of Minnesota educator, praising her for being strong and effective. Kerry Newstrom, a high school teacher, noted the importance of having more women in office, referencing derogatory remarks made about her by a Republican politician.