Ilhan Omar faces a tough primary against a former rival

Ilhan Omar faces a tough primary against a former rival

Ilhan Omar faces a tough primary against a former rival

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar faces a crucial primary election on Tuesday against Don Samuels, the former Minneapolis city councilman she narrowly defeated two years ago.

Ilhan Omar has represented the 5th Congressional District since 2019. Her constituents live in Minneapolis and the inner suburbs, one of the most Democratic areas in the country; Historically, the winner of the primary is able to defeat the Republican nominee and head to Congress.

The last time the two faced each other in the primary ballot, the result was close.

Ilhan Omar received 50% of the vote in 2022, while Samuels received 48%. Omar then easily defeated her Republican challenger, Cecily Davis, in the general election.

For his part, Samuels said he feels "very, very excited" about his chances in this runoff election, telling CBS News Congressional Correspondent Nicole Killion: "Ilhan probably has the highest profile of all the members of the band, so she seems invincible." "This has been sold as fact to the finance community and the national community, but the voters here in this district know who Don Samuels is."

In 2022, Samuels launched a campaign based largely on the crime issue in contrast to Omar, who in the wake of George Floyd's killing supported Minneapolis police reform and has since softened her stance.

He was also among eight North Minneapolis residents who sued the city over a depleted police force. In June 2022, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Minneapolis must hire at least 731 officers.

After his loss, Samuels said the margin of just 2,500 votes "sends a message to the incumbent that her job needs serious help, and she must listen to voters or she won't be able to keep her seat."

Samuels then appeared on a podcast last November and said Ilhan Omar is “not nice enough” nor “dressed well enough” to get away with ignoring her constituents. Although Samuels denied making this statement, Ilhan Omar accused him of discrimination based on gender.

Ilhan Omar is in good financial shape before the primaries. By the end of June, she had raised nearly $5 million, and had more than $2.5 million in campaign cash remaining, according to federal filings. Samuels had raised $750,000 and had $230,000 cash on hand.

She also received help from Sen. Bernie Sanders, who came to Minnesota to support progressive candidates in early August, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign.

"I think it's going to be a tough race, and I think it's going to be close, but I think she has an excellent chance of winning," Sanders said.

Since 2022, Ilhan Omar has been facing criticism regarding her positions on Israel. She condemned the Hamas attack after it occurred and called for a ceasefire, but also drew criticism for some of her comments, including a recent comment where she said some pro-Israel protesters were supportive of genocide.

Republicans expelled her from the Foreign Affairs Committee over comments she made shortly after her election that lawmakers who implicitly supported Israel were motivated by money.

She was ousted by the Republican-led House of Representatives in what was seen as a response to Democrats who expelled right-wing Republican lawmakers Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar over comments and alleged support for violence against their Democratic colleagues. Ilhan Omar promised that she would not be silent and that her voice would become louder and stronger.

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