(CNN)Minnesota Congressman Ilhan Omar survived a major challenge on Tuesday. Barely and narrow results, in CNN's predictions, may encourage critics of progressive "squad" members to try again in two years.
While Omar beat out a major well-funded rival in his 2020, moderate Samuels is a high-profile, big-spending man in the Minneapolis-based district. I participated in the race with the support of Super PAC, which conducts
Samuels ran as a pro-police critic in response to Omar's call to "stop defending the police." He and his wife sued the city of Minneapolis and succeeded in forcing the city's charter to increase its police force to 741 officers.
After Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey endorsed Mr. Samuels last week, momentum was building behind what was widely seen as a challenge by many. He also had the support of a construction union, several suburban mayors, and his more moderate DFL leadership.
His shaky calls could inspire another effort to banish Omar in 2024. Democrats now control four of his eight seats in the state, with Republicans holding three of his seats and one vacant seat for him.
Omar's victory also saw his two other liberal members of the "squad", Missouri Rep. Cori Bush and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tribe, defeat major challenges. It was brought in a week later.
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Connecticut held polls on Tuesday night for primaries that further defined some of November's key campaigns.
