Democratic US Representative Ilhan Omar, defended her primary race in Minnesota’s 5th District against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels.
A prominent critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, Omar triumphed over Samuels with a victory rate of 56.2%-42.9% for the Democratic Primary after 216 out of 217 precincts had released results.
Before that, the progressive “Squad” member Omar easily defeated centrist liberal Samuels in the year 2022.
During her winning speech in Minneapolis, Omar echoed some themes from Harris-Walz presidential campaign.
“Because we know it is joyful to fight for your neighbors. … We know it is joyful to make sure housing is a human right. We know it is joyful to fight for health care to be a human right. We know it is joyful to want to live in a peaceful and equitable world,” she said.
Samuels speaking about his loss stated that: “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. Clearly money matters a little more in politics than I had hoped.”
A total amount of $6.2 million approximately was collected by Omar’s campaign while Samuels raised nearly $1.4 million.On the other hand, Omar will face Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American journalist who identifies herself as a secular Muslim and accuses Omar of pro-Hamas views.
White, Teirab, Fischbach secure GOP victories
In Minnesota, conservative populist and ex-NBA player Royce White won the GOP primary so as to challenge Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar. Joe Teirab supported by Trump clinched Minnesota’s 2nd District GOP primary against Tayler Rahm whose campaign had been suspended but remained on ballot . His opponent on November will be democratic representative Angie Craig.
Joe Fraser the navy veteran was defeated by White whose views are considered too extreme. Democrats bemoaned the divisive rhetoric of white and highlighted Klobuchar’s congressional bipartisanship. Further, Trump supported Rep. Michelle Fischbach won her primary and Ann Johnson Stewart has been chosen by Democrats for a key state Senate race that could determine state Senate control.
