Far-left Rep. Ilhan Omar barely survived a primary challenge from a centrist Democrat in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District Tuesday, putting her on track for election to a third House term.
With 99% of the expected vote in, Omar led former Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels by fewer than 2,500 votes and 2.1 percentage points. By contrast, the “Squad” member cruised to victory in her 2020 primary, defeating her closest challenger by 20 percentage points.
“Millions of dollars have been spent to unseat us. Republicans and conservative Democrats have worked in lockstep to vote us out. Corporations and special interest groups have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads against us,” Omar said in a victory statement released after Samuels conceded. “Pundits and news agencies have tried to smear us and undermine our work.”
“Tonight’s victory is a testament to how much our district believes in the collective values we are fighting for and how much they’re willing to do to help us overcome defeat. This win is for them and everyone who still believes that regression will not be the legacy of the Fifth,” she added.
Crime and law enforcement funding were major issues in the race. The Jamaica-born Samuels helped defeat a ballot question that would have replaced the Minneapolis police department with a new public safety unit. He was also part of a successful effort to sue Minnesota’s largest city to ensure it met minimum police staffing levels in compliance with its charter.
“There is no denying that our community faces challenges,” Samuels said in a statement after his defeat.
“We must resolve ourselves to the hard work of reducing gun violence and freeing our communities from the vice of rising crime. We must find the things on which we agree and then build on them. And we must listen to one another and find compromises amongst our disagreements. I campaigned on a promise of making a difference—of working with others. It is now my time to make true on my word and work with Rep. Omar to solve the problems facing our communities. I welcome her help at the federal level as I continue my work here.”
Omar, a “defund the police” advocate, has repeatedly called to redirect law enforcement funding into other community-based programs. She also has a history of making anti-Semitic remarks.
Omar will be a heavy favorite in the fall against Republican Cicely Davis, who won the GOP primary over two other opponents with 48% of the vote.
With Post wires
