Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Capitol View®
Matt Sepic

Omar: Voters proved the skeptics were wrong

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
IMG_2317

Minneapolis -- Ilhan Omar is a step closer to becoming the nation's first Somali-American state lawmaker after winning a three-way DFL primary race Tuesday, ending the career of one of Minnesota's longest-serving legislators, Phyllis Kahn.

With 41 percent of the vote the Somali-American community activist and former city council aide easily beat 43-year incumbent state Rep. Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis,  along with former Minneapolis school board member Mohamud Noor.

Hundreds of Omar's supporters packed into a stuffy restaurant banquet room for her victory rally Tuesday night. Flanked by her husband and children, Omar said her campaign appealed to a diverse base of voters and proved skeptics wrong.

"A lot of people I admire had bought into the narrative of misogyny that they believed existed in my community and didn't think it was possible for a woman to win this seat in my community," Omar said as her supporters cheered. "I want to remind them that I come from a great community."

• Photos: Omar and her supporters celebrated

• Full coverage: Election 2016

Omar, 33, was born in Somalia and fled the country's civil war as a child. She and her family spent four years in a refugee camp across the border in Kenya before moving to the United States. They settled in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

Outside the restaurant, supporter Hared Maah said Omar's primary win is not only historic, but also a repudiation of the anti-Muslim vitriol in national politics.

"I think this is a testament to the understanding that communities in Minnesota, in Minneapolis specifically, have toward diversity, that an educated Muslim woman can win against a veteran politician," Maah said.

Kahn, 79,  is one of the most senior politicians at the Minnesota Capitol, but she will not be back for a 23rd term in the House. First elected in 1972, Kahn is tied for tenure only with fellow Rep. Lyndon Carlson, DFL- Crystal, who did not face a primary challenge.

With a group of about 20 supporters at a Central Avenue bar, Kahn congratulated Omar on her victory.

"The voters have spoken, and that's what happens when the voters speak," she said. "Ilhan obviously ran a very good campaign, mobilized a lot of people that we didn't see before in previous elections."

Though she's favored to win in this DFL-heavy district, Omar says she's mobilizing her supporters for the general election in November. That's when she'll face Republican rival Abdimalik Askar, a Somali-American television producer and educator.