Progressive Minnesota US Rep. Ilhan Omar draws prominent primary challenger

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar is a charter member of “the squad,” a group of progressive House Democrats. She represents an overwhelmingly Democratic district that includes Minneapolis and some suburbs.

Don Samuels is a former Minneapolis City Council member who narrowly lost to Ilhan Omar in the 2022 Democratic primary. He believes Omar is beatable and is challenging her again, citing differences on issues such as policing, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and her stance on certain policies.

Ilhan Omar faced criticism for comments in her first term that were viewed as invoking antisemitic tropes and suggesting that Jewish Americans have divided loyalties.

Omar was among the progressives who supported the “defund the police” movement, while Samuels opposed it and helped lead the opposition against a related proposal on the city ballot in 2021.

Ilhan Omar has been critical of both Hamas and Israel, particularly its military response. Samuels has criticized her for boycotting the speech of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Congress and for supporting sanctions against Israel.

Apart from Don Samuels and Ilhan Omar, other candidates in the race include Sarah Gad, Tim Peterson, and Dalia Al-Aqidi.

The district includes a large Somali Muslim population and St. Louis Park, a center of Jewish life in Minnesota. Both demographics may play a role in the outcome of the election.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has tried to recruit a credible challenger to Omar, but Don Samuels stated that they did not try to recruit him. AIPAC also spent money against Omar in 2022.

Many House Democrats view Ilhan Omar as a serious legislator who has given voice to marginalized groups during her tenure.

The key issues in this primary race include differences on policing, foreign policy, and policy stances related to Israel, as well as broader issues like the future of policing and safety in Minneapolis.