Ilhan Omar expected to win Minnesota primary as part of “Squad” members test.
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has secured victory in her Democratic primary, triumphing over challenger Don Samuels, as projected by The Associated Press on Tuesday night. She joins the ranks of high-profile “Squad” members who have recently faced primary challenges, including Reps. Jamaal Bowman of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri.
This wasn’t the first time Omar and Samuels went head-to-head in a primary race. In 2022, Omar narrowly defeated Samuels by a slim margin of approximately 2,500 votes. However, this time around, the outcome was significantly more decisive. With over 99% of precincts reporting, Omar was leading Samuels with 56% of the vote to his 42%.
Prior to the race, Samuels expressed his excitement to CBS News, citing the shift in perception among voters compared to the previous election. He highlighted the increased belief in their potential to win this time around, which encouraged a more unified and invested effort.
Omar left no stone unturned leading up to the primary. She tirelessly campaigned across the 5th Congressional District, engaging with constituents, making calls, and rallying support from progressive allies such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who joined her at a rally in Minneapolis.
In a statement to CBS News, Omar expressed confidence in her campaign’s progressive values and dedication to championing the priorities of the 5th District. She emphasized key issues like reproductive rights, Medicare for All, a just foreign policy, climate action, and ending childhood hunger as focal points of her platform.
While Bowman and Bush’s recent primary races were marked by significant spending, with Bowman’s race setting a record for the most expensive House primary, Omar’s campaign has been more modest in terms of funding. Nevertheless, she managed to outpace Samuels in fundraising, amassing over $6.4 million compared to his $1.2 million.
Despite the influx of spending from lobbying groups like AIPAC in other primary races, the Minnesota contest did not see the same level of financial investment. Samuels attributed this to Omar’s high profile within the Squad, which may have deterred opposition funding efforts.
Like her Squad counterparts, Omar has been vocal in her criticism of Israel and has called for a cease-fire in the conflict with Hamas. Samuels has criticized Omar for being divisive and questioned her stance on the Gaza conflict.
Republicans have also weighed in on the Democratic primary, with some endorsing Samuels as a challenger to Omar. Royce White, a GOP Senate candidate, expressed support for ousting Omar and urged voters to back Samuels.
Samuels, a 75-year-old Jamaican immigrant, brings a wealth of experience in community engagement and public service to the race. He has emphasized his track record on issues like gun violence and public safety as key points of connection with voters.
As the primary results solidify, the landscape of progressive politics in Minnesota’s 5th District continues to evolve. With Omar’s victory secured, the stage is set for her to continue representing her constituents and advancing the progressive priorities that define her platform.
