‘Squad’ member Ilhan Omar wins Minnesota Democratic primary as she dashes GOP’s hopes of unseating her

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: 'Squad' member Ilhan Omar won the Minnesota Democratic primary in a rematch against Don Samuels whom she had narrowly defeated in 2022, according to the Guardian.

Samuels had lost to Omar by a margin of just over 2,400 votes in a closer-than-expected primary challenge back in 2022. At that time, the United Democracy Project had pumped in $350,000 into Samuels' bid in a last-minute push to beat Omar, stated USA Today.

Ilhan Omar wins Minnesota Dem primary

On Tuesday, August 13, Ilhan Omar told the people of Minneapolis, "We run the politics of joy. Because we know it is joyful to fight for your neighbors. ... We know it is joyful to make sure housing is a human right. We know it is joyful to fight for health care to be a human right. We know it is joyful to want to live in a peaceful and equitable world."

It was the last race in a series of heated primaries for the progressive 'Squad' of House Democrats who have been vocal in their criticism of Israel's war in Gaza.

Fellow 'Squad' members Jamaal Bowman of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri recently lost to candidates whose campaigns were well supported by pro-Israel groups. Omar faced a comparitively low-key race.

Omar became the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in the US House of Representatives in 2019. She has also allied herself with the left wing of the Democratic party while serving as the deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She also backed key progressive measures such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All.

Heading into Tuesday's race, Omar boasted a significant fundraising advantage over Samuels as her campaign spent $2.6 million on ads compared to Samuel’s campaign which spent just $32,000, according to AdImpact.

Omar also dashed the GOP's hopes as they were trying to unseat her. Royce White, the state GOP-endorsed Senate candidate, posted on X that he would give up 5,000 votes in the fifth congressional district to help oust Omar, as stated by Mother Jones.

Far-right influencer Laura Loomer had tweeted, "Republicans, Independents and Democrats have a once in a lifetime opportunity to remove a HAMAS supporter from Congress. Everyone can vote in the open primary.” 

 

Omar is set to face Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American journalist and self-described secular Muslim who calls Omar pro-Hamas and a terrorist sympathizer, according to TIME.

Internet divided as Ilhan Omar wins Minnesota Dem primary

People on the internet shared mixed reactions as Ilhan Omar won the Minnesota Democratic primary in a rematch against Don Samuels.

 A user wrote on X, "Ilhan Omar is a disgrace to this party. Shameful if you support this nonsensical representative" while one added, "Ilhan Omar just wanted n her primary. We need to be very careful."

A person also stated, "Glad to see Ilhan Omar has won her primary."

Another mentioned, "Ilhan Omar won her Democratic primary for the U.S. House in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District with 56.2% of the vote. Congratulations."

A user also wrote, "With Royce White and Ilhan Omar's primary wins, it looks like Minnesota has solidified its position as the new ground zero of America's culture war."

Another commented, "Ilhan Omar is a small victory but it's comforting knowing AIPAC can't buy every seat in congress."

A person also said, "Well...Ilhan Omar, the member of the Hamas Caucus won the primary in Minnesota today. How in the heck was that possible? Is anyone investigating? Does anyone care?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.