Ilhan Omar, a prominent member of the progressive group known as "The Squad," is facing a primary challenge on August 13, 2024, from former Minneapolis city councilor Don Samuels. This contest comes as the Democratic Party appears to be distancing itself from some of its more left-leaning positions.
Omar, who represents Minnesota's 5th congressional district, is one of the original members of "The Squad," a group of progressive women elected to Congress in 2018. The primary race is particularly significant as two other Squad members, Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, recently lost their own primary contests.
The political landscape has shifted since Omar's initial election. The Democratic Party has moved away from some of its furthest-left causes, such as calls for universal government-backed healthcare and police defunding. This change reflects a broader trend within the party, which has become more moderate in recent years.
Omar, born in Somalia in 1982, immigrated to the US in 1995 and became one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress. She has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies, including Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. Her tenure has been marked by both achievements and controversies.
The congresswoman has secured millions of dollars in federal funds for community development in her district and has been attentive to the needs of the large immigrant population, including Somali-Americans. Omar has also been a strong proponent of immigrant rights and refugee resettlement.
However, Omar has faced criticism for some of her statements about Israel and Jewish Americans. In 2023, House Republicans voted to remove her from the Foreign Affairs Committee over a 2019 social media post that was perceived as antisemitic. Omar subsequently apologized for the post.
"visionary, bold and loud"
Don Samuels, Omar's challenger, is described by his campaign as "a lifelong, progressive pragmatic Democrat." Born in Jamaica, Samuels is a former toy developer and leader of a non-profit organization. The race between Omar and Samuels is expected to be competitive, with Samuels having come close to defeating Omar in the 2022 primary.
Despite the challenge, Omar maintains a significant fundraising advantage. Her campaign has raised $6.8 million this cycle, more than double the typical House member's reelection campaign and substantially more than Samuels' $1.4 million.
The outcome of this primary will likely determine the representative for this heavily Democratic district in the November 5, 2024 general election. This contest occurs against the backdrop of a presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, with control of Congress at stake.
As the Democratic Party continues to evolve, the Omar-Samuels primary serves as a microcosm of the broader debates within the party about its direction and priorities. The result may provide insights into the future of progressive politics within the Democratic establishment.