Ilhan Omar Secures Primary Victory in Minnesota’s 5th District

Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar, a prominent member of the progressive House faction known as the “Squad,” has clinched another victory in her primary race for Minnesota’s 5th District. Omar, a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza, successfully defended her Minneapolis-area seat against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, a more centrist liberal who had narrowly lost to her in the 2022 primary.

Omar’s Victory Speech

Addressing her supporters in Minneapolis, Omar reiterated themes consistent with the Harris-Walz presidential campaign, focusing on the “politics of joy.” She stated, “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.”

U.S. Democratic House Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks to supporters after announcing her victory in the Minnesota Democratic Primary election at Nighthawks in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. August 13, 2024. REUTERS/Ben Brewer

Squad Dynamics and Challenges

Omar’s victory stands in contrast to the recent losses of her fellow Squad members. Rep. Cori Bush lost her bid for the Democratic nomination in Missouri, and Rep. Jamaal Bowman was defeated in his New York primary in June. Both faced opponents with substantial backing from the United Democracy Project, a super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which did not intervene in the Minnesota race.

Samuels, in his campaign, criticized Omar for her stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, describing her approach as one-sided and divisive. He also highlighted public safety concerns in Minneapolis, a city still grappling with the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. “I was hoping a strong ground game and attention to those who felt left out would outweigh the significant financial advantage. Clearly, money plays a larger role in politics than I anticipated,” Samuels remarked.

Facing New Challenges

Looking ahead to November, Omar will face Republican contender Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American journalist and secular Muslim who has labeled Omar as “pro-Hamas.” The backdrop to their contest is the ongoing war in Gaza, which began on October 7 when Hamas launched an unexpected attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 civilian deaths and 251 hostages. Israel’s response includes a ground operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and rescuing the hostages. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry, over 39,000 people in Gaza have been killed or are presumed dead, though these numbers are not independently verified and do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israel reports the elimination of around 15,000 Hamas fighters and about 1,000 terrorists inside Israel during the initial attack.

Despite condemning Hamas’s actions, Omar remains a stringent critic of Israel’s military response, pushing alongside her Squad colleagues for President Joe Biden to halt military aid and arms shipments to Israel. This stance has drawn accusations of “blood libel” from some, following her characterization of pro-Israel Jewish students as “pro-genocide.”

Other Political Contests in Minnesota

In other Minnesota races, conservative populist and former NBA player Royce White emerged victorious over Navy veteran Joe Fraser in the Republican primary to challenge Democratic US Sen. Amy Klobuchar. White, a controversial figure known for his provocative social media presence and financial troubles, hopes to expand the GOP’s appeal among voters of color and those dissatisfied with traditional politics. Following his win, White provocatively declared on the social platform X, “Bring it on commies… The People Are Coming.”

Meanwhile, in Minnesota’s 2nd District, former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab, endorsed by former President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders, defeated defense attorney Tayler Rahm. Despite Rahm’s earlier withdrawal and alignment with Trump’s Minnesota campaign, he remained on the ballot. This sets up a competitive race against Democratic incumbent Rep. Angie Craig, who criticized Teirab as a politically opportunistic newcomer.

Senate and House Races

In the US Senate race, Klobuchar, seeking a fourth term, faces White, whose campaign style has been characterized as confrontational and unappealing to moderates and independents, according to Fraser. With Klobuchar boasting a war chest of about $19 million and significant resources, her campaign is well-positioned for the upcoming general election.

The 7th District witnessed a contest between establishment and grassroots Republicans, with Trump-backed Rep. Michelle Fischbach overcoming businessman Steve Boyd, who ran on a religious platform and managed to prevent her from securing a district convention endorsement. Boyd’s campaign expenditure totaled $170,000, dwarfed by Fischbach’s over $1 million in spending.

Omar’s victory and these other key races set the stage for a highly anticipated general election in Minnesota, reflecting the broader national dynamics of political alliances and ideological battles.