Rep. Ilhan Omar expected to win Minnesota Democratic primary in final test for ‘Squad’ members

Representative Ilhan Omer The Minnesota Democrat won the primary, comfortably defeating challenger Don Samuels, the Associated Press predicted Tuesday night. He became the last “Squad” member to enter the primary after a series of high-profile defeats by representatives. Jamaal Bowman New York and Cori Bush Of Missouri.

For the second time in two years, Omer was faced with a challenge From Samuels, a former Minneapolis City Council member. Omar narrowly beats Samuels In 2022, by a slim margin of about 2,500 votes. But the results weren’t as close this time. With more than 99% of precincts reporting, Ilhan led Samuels by a 56% to 42% margin.

“I’m very, very excited,” Samuels told CBS News ahead of the race. “It was tough last time. People were saying, ‘Why are you doing this? You can’t win.’ And so there was a lot of effort and hedging and a little bit of reluctance and convincing. This time people are realizing that if they had invested, we could have won.”

Omar left nothing to chance. The incumbent lawmaker has been traveling the 5th Congressional District, making door-to-door calls and bringing out progressive heavyweights like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who campaigned with her at a Minneapolis rally last week.

“We are excited about our chances of winning on Tuesday,” Omar told CBS News in an earlier statement. “We believe in the power of organizing for our progressive values ​​in Minnesota. That’s why I’m fighting for the values ​​of the 5th District, values ​​like protecting reproductive rights, implementing Medicare for All, a just foreign policy, addressing the climate crisis and ending child hunger. I look forward to continuing to advocate for our district’s progressive priorities and serving our community.”

Archer And Bush’s races The two most expensive House primaries in 2024 were the most expensive, and Bowman’s was the most expensive in history. Omar’s race drew almost no money and she significantly outraised Samuels. Omar has raised and spent more than $6.4 million, leaving Samuels with $1.8 million in cash on hand, according to preliminary campaign filings. Samuels has raised more than $1.2 million.

In recent weeks, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC and its affiliate, the United Democracy Front, have poured millions of dollars into races to unseat Bowman and Bush. The group, along with other pro-Israel lobbying organizations, spent more than $30 million in the House primary, according to Ad Impact. But they haven’t invested much in the Minnesota race.

“It’s a little mysterious and I can speculate,” Samuels said. “My opponent probably has the highest profile of the Squad, so he seems untouchable and invincible, and that’s kind of sold as a fact to the funding community and the national community, but the voters here know who Don Samuels is.”

But like Bowman and Bush, Omar has criticized Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Samuels called Omar a “divisive” and pointed to her past expressions and its stance on the war in Gaza.

“I think when atrocities happen, we should condemn it.” Omar told CBS Minnesota in June:“I think it’s important that we try to make sure that all of our communities in the United States feel safe and protected to be able to express themselves, regardless of their views on what’s happening in Gaza.”

Some Republicans are also weighing in on the Democratic race, encouraging district voters to support Samuels and oust Omar. Royce White, a GOP Senate candidate running in the primary against incumbent Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, wrote on X: “I would gladly give up 5,000 votes in the CD5 primary to achieve this goal.”

Samuels, a 75-year-old Jamaican immigrant who started his political career in his 50s, believes his work in the community on issues such as gun violence and public safety as a school board member and city council member will resonate with voters.

“My approach is to be visible, to be available and to be accountable,” Samuels said.