Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn, successfully defended her seat in the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, outpacing her challengers and securing her position against the backdrop of recent losses within her progressive cohort, the “Squad.”
In a closely watched race, Omar faced off against primary challengers Don Samuels, Abena McKenzie, and Nate Schluter. This contest was particularly significant as it sought to determine if Omar would follow in the footsteps of fellow Squad members Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., both of whom were unseated in their recent primaries.
The primary battle was a rematch from 2022, where Omar narrowly defeated Samuels by just under two percentage points. Despite the tight race last cycle, Omar managed to secure a more comfortable path to reelection in November.
The 5th Congressional District, a stronghold for the Democratic Party since 1963 and rated as “solid” Democrat by the Cook Political Report, has consistently supported Democratic candidates in presidential elections since 2000. Omar, who first took office in 2019, represents a district that encompasses much of greater Minneapolis.
This year, Omar’s campaign approached the primary with increased confidence, partly due to the absence of significant opposition from the United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which had previously campaigned heavily against her.
The primary results in Minnesota’s 5th District underscore the enduring support for Omar among Democratic voters, despite the broader challenges faced by some of her progressive allies in the Squad. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Omar’s victory serves as a testament to her resilience and the continued backing of her constituents amidst a turbulent election cycle for progressives.
