According to the Washington Examiner, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is facing an increasingly bitter primary challenge from former Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels, who is accused of seeking Republican support and big-money groups to unseat her.
Omar, a progressive "Squad" member, narrowly defeated Samuels by a mere 2 percentage points in the 2022 primary. However, this year's race has seen heightened tensions following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which has further polarized the candidates.
Samuels, who entered the race after the attack, has taken a strong stance against Omar’s pro-Palestinian views. He has gone so far as to call her a “pawn for Hamas,” directly challenging her foreign policy positions. This criticism echoes a broader trend in which pro-Israel groups have targeted progressive lawmakers, leading to the defeat of two of Omar's colleagues, Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), in recent elections.
Pro-Israel groups have significantly increased their fundraising efforts against Omar, although the financial opposition she faces is less intense than that faced by Bush and Bowman.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a prominent pro-Israel lobby, has spent roughly $19,000 in support of Samuels, a figure dwarfed by the $9 million and $14.5 million spent against Bush and Bowman, respectively.
Amid these attacks, Omar has accused Samuels of attempting to court GOP voters, a move she describes as “shameful.” She contends that Samuels is relying on support from "vile MAGA Republicans," including figures like Laura Loomer and Royce White, to gain an edge in the primary. In response, Samuels has pushed back, pointing out that Omar herself has received donations from Republican-aligned donors.
Federal campaign finance reports reveal that Farouk Shami, a known Trump ally, donated $6,600 to Omar’s campaign in 2023. Samuels, on the other hand, emphasizes that over 75% of his campaign contributions come from within the district and are largely from Democratic donors. He argues that Omar is attempting to distract voters from her record by focusing on his campaign's financial support.
Despite their differences, both Omar and Samuels acknowledge that they share many similar policy positions. However, Samuels accuses Omar of being a divisive figure, suggesting that her approach to politics is more about making headlines than effecting change. Omar, in turn, has accused Samuels of co-opting her platform, claiming that he is simply adopting her “winning policies” without offering any new ideas.
Recent polling conducted by Lake Research Partners suggests that Omar holds a substantial lead, with a 27-point advantage over Samuels. This polling data, coupled with Omar’s significant spending on advertising—$2.6 million compared to Samuels' $32,000—paints a picture of a campaign that is well-funded and well-organized.
The primary election is further complicated by Minnesota’s open primary system, which allows Republican voters to participate in the Democratic primary. This has raised concerns that GOP voters could sway the outcome of the race, potentially giving Samuels an unexpected boost.
While the race is expected to favor the Democratic nominee in the general election, with a D+30 rating from the Cook Political Report, the influence of Republican voters in the primary remains a key factor to watch.
In addition to the financial and strategic battles, top left-wing lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have rallied in support of Omar, reinforcing her standing within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. This support contrasts with the significant opposition from pro-Israel groups, highlighting the deep divisions within the party over foreign policy issues.
As the primary election approaches, the race between Rep. Ilhan Omar and Don Samuels continues to intensify, with accusations and counter-accusations dominating the discourse. While both candidates share similar policy views, their approaches and campaign strategies differ significantly, reflecting the broader ideological battles within the Democratic Party. With Omar holding a strong lead in the polls and significant financial backing, the outcome of this contentious primary will likely hinge on the influence of GOP voters and the effectiveness of each candidate's campaign tactics.
