Rep. Ilhan Omar faces a competitive primary challenge from Don Samuels in her bid for reelection in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district.
In the previous election, Omar only won by 2,500 votes.
“Ilhan Omar has taken on such a national status for her support of the Palestinians, and criticism of Israel, that I think this is going to be a race that attracts incredible amounts of attention – as it already has – and a lot more national money,” Professor David Schultz said.
BREAKING: New polling results from Victoria Research, the pollster who predicted our close race in 2022, show us virtually tied with Rep. Ilhan Omar! pic.twitter.com/FoyCtnMmnm
— Don Samuels (@DonSamuelsMN) March 29, 2024
The latest poll shows Omar and Samuels tied at 41% each.
Samuels portrays himself as a pragmatic progressive who can work with Biden, while some criticize Omar’s confrontational style.
“We obviously want the hostages released and returned to their families. There are American hostages that are included. There is an infant that is included in those hostages. It is important that we do everything that we can,” Omar said.
“We can’t be dishonest to the point where we are saying that everybody is doing everything they can to be at the table to negotiate.”
“This blatant Islamophobia and racism are all too common for people who look, and worship like me. When Islamophobia is at an all-time high, the normalization of this hate must be condemned unequivocally,” she wrote.
Omar’s outspoken support for Palestine and criticism of Israel have polarized voters and attracted national attention.
Samuels advocated for new leadership that is less divisive.
“These are divisive times – there’s a lot of rancor out there. I’m campaigning to be the people’s candidate, totally available, accessible, and vulnerable,” Samuels said.
As the primary approaches, both candidates are intensifying their campaigns in what is shaping up to be a close and contentious race.
