Ilhan Omar and Don Samuels WCCO © Provided by CBS Minnesota
June 26, 2024 Story by: Editor
The upcoming primary election in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District is set to be a major political showdown between Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels.
In the surprising August 2022 primary, Samuels nearly unseated Omar, falling short by just 2 percentage points. The 5th District encompasses all of Minneapolis and several inner-ring suburbs, making the Democratic primary winner the likely victor in the November election.
Learning from her near defeat, Omar’s campaign has bolstered its efforts with an increased number of field organizers, extending their reach into suburban areas of the district.
Omar faced significant backlash in 2021 for endorsing a controversial referendum that proposed replacing Minneapolis’s police department. In response, she has since distanced herself from some progressive stances on policing, notably supporting a 2022 bill that allocated additional funds for police departments nationwide. She has also broken ranks with some progressives by endorsing President Biden’s reelection campaign, despite her strong criticisms of U.S.-Israeli policy in the Israel war on Gaza.
On the podcast “The Break Down” last November, Samuels made controversial comments about Omar, stating she is “not cute enough” and doesn’t “dress well enough” to justify neglecting her constituents. He further criticized her accessibility and constituent services. Samuels later denied these remarks on WCCO Sunday Morning, clarifying that his comments were about her constituent services and public accessibility.
Omar condemned Samuels’ remarks, likening them to the misogyny seen in Donald Trump’s rhetoric. “This is beneath the dignity of any adult, let alone someone seeking public office. It is reminiscent of the worst kinds of lies and misogyny that we are hearing from people like Donald Trump, who think they can say anything about women and get away with it,” Omar stated. “Like Trump, instead of engaging in an adult debate, Don relies on lies and sexism. We need civility now more than ever, and Don’s behavior should be alarming to anyone who agrees.”
Despite their contentious relationship, Omar and Samuels share similar views on many issues, including the environment and abortion rights. Both candidates are also advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza. Source: CBS News
