Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-M.N., a prominent member of the progressive “Squad” in Congress, faces a crucial primary election today as she seeks a fourth term representing Minnesota’s Minneapolis-anchored 5th Congressional District.
The race is drawing national attention as Omar, a radical even among the Democratic Party, confronts challenges both from within and from broader political pressures.
Omar’s main challenger, former Minneapolis City Councilmember Don Samuels, is mounting a vigorous campaign in a rematch of their close 2022 primary.
In their prior contest, Omar narrowly prevailed with 50% of the vote to Samuels’ 48%.
Samuels expresses confidence in his chances, telling CBS News, “My opponent has probably the highest profile of all of the Squad, so she seems to be impervious and unbeatable, and that kind of has been sold as a truth to the funding community and the national community but the voters here in this district know who Don Samuels is.”
The challenger criticizes Omar’s approach, stating she is “divisive and combative. She picks a side including, simply trying to divide her, her constituency, and ignores the other side.”
Despite the challenges, Omar is considered the favorite in this primary.
Unlike some of her “Squad” colleagues who faced well-funded opposition, Omar has not been targeted by advertising from groups like the United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Omar has also received high-profile support, including from socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, I-V.T., who campaigned for her in early August.
“I think it’s going to be a tough race, I think it’s going to be close but I think she has an excellent chance to win,” Sanders said.
The congresswoman holds a significant financial advantage. Federal filings show that by the end of June, Omar had raised nearly $5 million and had more than $2.5 million in cash on hand, compared to Samuels’ $750,000 raised and $230,000 available.
As voters head to the polls, the outcome of this primary could have implications beyond Minnesota, potentially signaling trends within the Democratic Party and the strength of its progressive wing in Congress.