Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar successfully defended her position in Minnesota’s 5th District primary, securing a victory over former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. Omar, known for her outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and as a member of the progressive “Squad,” led the race with 56.2% of the vote compared to Samuels’ 42.9% after nearly all precincts had reported their results.
Previously, in 2022, Omar had also defeated Samuels, who aligns more with centrist liberal values. During her victory speech in Minneapolis, Omar drew on themes from the Harris-Walz presidential campaign, underscoring her commitment to fighting for the rights and well-being of her community. She passionately spoke about the joy of advocating for housing and healthcare as fundamental human rights and striving for a peaceful and equitable world.
Samuels, reflecting on his defeat, expressed disappointment that his grassroots campaign couldn’t overcome the financial advantages Omar held. Omar’s campaign had raised approximately $6.2 million, significantly more than Samuels’ $1.4 million. Looking ahead, Omar is set to face Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American journalist who positions herself as a secular Muslim and has criticized Omar for being pro-Hamas.
In other Minnesota races, conservative populist and former NBA player Royce White won the GOP primary to challenge Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar. White, who has garnered support from Trump, defeated Navy veteran Joe Fraser but faces criticism for his extreme views. Additionally, Trump-endorsed Joe Teirab secured the GOP nomination for Minnesota’s 2nd District and will face Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in the upcoming election. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach won her primary, while Democrats selected Ann Johnson Stewart for a crucial state Senate race, which could play a pivotal role in determining state Senate control.
