SAEDNEWS: US Rep. Ilhan Omar decisively won the Democratic primary for her district Tuesday, widening her margin of victory in a rematch against Don Samuels whom she just narrowly beat two years ago, local media said.
According to SAEDNEWS, Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, a prominent member of the "Squad" and a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, has triumphed in her primary race in Minnesota, according to Al Jazeera. This victory secures her position in the Minneapolis-area 5th district, where she faced a challenge from former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels.
At a rally in Minneapolis, Omar addressed her supporters and highlighted themes that echo those of Democratic Party nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. “We run the politics of joy,” she stated on Tuesday. “Because we know it is joyful to fight for your neighbours. We know it is joyful to make sure housing is a human right. We know it is joyful to fight for healthcare to be a human right. We know it is joyful to want to live in a peaceful and equitable world.”
With 216 of 217 precincts reporting results, Omar secured 56.2 percent of the vote, overshadowing Samuels, who garnered 42.9 percent, as reported by the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Throughout the campaign, Samuels took aim at Omar's public condemnation of the Israeli government's handling of the war on Gaza. While Omar has also spoken out against Hamas for its attacks on Israel, Samuels criticized her for being one-sided and divisive. He emphasized addressing public safety issues in Minneapolis, especially in light of the murder of George Floyd by a former police officer in 2020.
Following the election results, Samuels expressed his disappointment. “What I was hoping is that a strong ground game and an attention to the details of folks who felt left out would trump an overwhelming superiority in dollars,” he reflected in an interview. “Clearly, money matters a little more in politics than I had hoped.”
Omar’s victory signals a continued commitment to progressive policies and may influence the broader Democratic landscape as the party navigates complex issues both domestically and internationally.
