(DCWatchdog.com) – Escaping the fate of fellow liberals Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman, infamous far-left House ‘Squad’ member Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is celebrating.
Omar won her primary in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District against former Minneapolis City Councilman and Board of Education member Don Samuels.
Omar, who had narrowly beaten Samuels in 2022, came out on top with 56.2% of the vote, while Samuels garnered 42.9%.
Omar is the third member of the “squad,” a group of far-left House members, to face a primary challenge after Democrat Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY) and Cori Bush (MO) lost their primaries on June 25 and Aug. 6, respectively.
“I am honored that my community voted to send me back to Congress. Tonight’s victory shows that the Fifth District believes in the collective values we are fighting for in Washington,” Omar said in a statement on X.
Unlike her fellow squad members, the Democrat’s position seemed more secure leading up to the primary.
A July poll from Omar’s campaign showed her leading Samuels by a hefty 27 points. Even a February poll from Samuels’ campaign had Omar ahead by 19 points.
Moreover, Bush and Bowman fought hard to keep their seats, facing backlash for their pro-Palestinian views, which led pro-Israel groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to lobby against them. Omar has faced similar criticism for her stance on Israel during her time in office.
Samuels congratulated Bush’s challenger and now Democratic nominee Wesley Bell after last week’s primary, cautioning Omar that the party is shifting away from those who prioritize “politics above the people.”
“Congratulations, Wesley! It’s clear that Democrats around the country are ready to move on from those who put politics above the people,” Samuels posted on X on Aug. 6.
He continued, “In just one week, MN CD5 has the opportunity to do the same. To everyone in Minneapolis and the suburbs, I hope to earn your support.”
Additionally, Samuels positioned himself as a candidate focused on bipartisanship, stating on his campaign website that “real progress requires more than just talk, it requires leaders willing to find common ground, work hard, and deliver solutions for the biggest challenges that we face today.”
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