Sun. Sep 8th, 2024
Rep. Ilhan Omar defeated former Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels in the Democratic primary election for the 5th District seat in Minnesota on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Source: Screenshot - FOX)

MINNEAPOLIS — By winning the Democratic primary in Minnesota Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar dodged the same fate as two members of the progressive House members known as “The Squad.”

Omar defeated a second challenge for her Minneapolis-area 5th District seat against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, securing 56% of the votes compared with 43% for Samuels.

Rep. Omar, who is frequently targeted by conservatives, has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s role in the war in Gaza and the Biden Administration’s response. Her opponent Samuels is a moderate Democrat whom Omar narrowly overcame during the 2022 U.S. House race.

Fellow Squad members Rep. Cori Bush lost in Missouri’s Democratic primary nomination last week, and Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York lost his primary in June. Bell and Latimer’s campaigns each received unprecedented funding through the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

More on Omar’s victory in Minnesota and the 2024 election.