Omar has familiar challenger in Minnesota's 5th but the race isn't playing out in same way
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U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar has risen as a national political figure since first being elected to Congress in 2018 as part of progressive group dubbed “The Squad.”
That prominence has made her vulnerable to criticism from Republicans in powerful elected positions, but it doesn’t pose a threat to her in general elections. Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District is one of the most reliable Democratic strongholds in the country.
But in a primary election next Tuesday, Omar faces another challenge from former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, who came two points from beating her in 2022 largely by overperforming the incumbent in the suburbs of Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
“Now we get the opportunity to introduce the real him to the suburbs,” Omar said after speaking with a group of volunteers getting ready to knock doors for her in Columbia Heights. “And remind them that although he might look like an older statesman, that he is really not the best person to send to be effective in Congress.”
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Omar said voters have rejected Samuels’ during his unsuccessful runs for Minneapolis mayor and county commissioner. She also points out he’s taken money from Republican donors in the past. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel group known as AIPAC, has spent money in other Democratic primary races for members of “the Squad.”
U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York lost his primary election earlier this year amid spending by AIPAC. The group has also been active in the effort to defeat Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri who faces a primary challenge this Tuesday. So far, the group hasn't had a noticeable presence in the Minnesota race, according to federal campaign records.
Samuels said he is working on his own to win over voters. He pulled 48 percent of the vote in a 2022 race against Omar, who won with just more than 50 percent.
“When someone is undecided, that just means they're waiting for me,” Samuels said with a chuckle as he spoke with volunteers before door knocking in Fridley. “They're waiting for you to tell them why you support Don Samuels.”
Omar’s re-election campaign isn’t holding back on spending in this year’s primary and has been airing TV ads for months. She has the endorsements of other high-ranking Democrats in the state.
Samuels said coming so close in 2022 proved voters in the district don’t want her divisiveness on the national stage anymore.
“Maybe they gave $500 when they could have given $1,000,” Samuels said. “I've gotten a lot of apologies, followed quickly by a lot of commitments to really redouble efforts.”
Samuels argues Omar is too divisive, especially when it comes to comments she’s made about Israel’s war with Hamas, which has taken a severe toll on Palestinians in Gaza.
Abbe Blacker hosted a meet and greet with Samuels at her condominium building in Minneapolis.
She takes issue with comments Omar made this year, suggesting some Jewish college students are “pro-genocide.” Blacker says it undermines who she feels she is as a Jew.
“We care deeply about all kinds of things, not just Israel,” Blacker said. “We care deeply about the horrendous conditions overseas in Gaza as well. We care about Palestinians. But the way it's been framed as pro-genocide is really offensive and hurtful to me.”
Last year, Omar was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2023 on a largely party line vote after Republicans accused her of bringing dishonor to the chamber; Omar said the move was a Republican power play meant to silence her.
Omar has done more this campaign to put the focus on federal money she's helped steer back home and even used President Joe Biden's praise of her in TV ads. Her campaign is also getting some help from national figures, including a visit last weekend from Sen. Bernie Sanders.
““Donald Trump waged a vicious and disgusting personal attack against Ilhan and some others,” Sanders said, describing his initial conversations with Omar. “This is like a freshman member of the US Congress attacked by the President of the United States. So in my paternalistic, sexist way, I try to be ‘Are you okay? Don't get upset, it'll be alright.’ She said, ‘It's fine. I've gotten this my whole life feels tough.’ And you should be enormously proud of having her as your congresswoman.”
CasiAnna Olson came to see Sanders and Omar on Saturday at the congresswoman’s alma mater, Thomas Edison High School in Minneapolis.
“I definitely support her stance on Palestine,” Olson said. “She's here fighting for women, which for me, is huge as a parent of a daughter, and I just, I really want to continue to support women in politics. And I feel like she's a really great example of what women can do when they're given that power.”
The winner of the Aug. 13 primary moves onto a general election against Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi, who doesn’t have a primary opponent. But the Democratic nominee will be the heavy favorite in a district that routinely gives 70 percent or more of its vote to Democrats.