Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota emerged victorious in her Democratic primary on Tuesday, bucking the trend set by her fellow 'Squad' members who faced defeat in their respective races.
According to USA TODAY, Omar's win stands in contrast to the losses suffered by Representatives Cori Bush of Missouri and Jamaal Bowman of New York, both of whom were ousted by more moderate Democrats in their primary contests.
The victories and defeats of these progressive lawmakers have been closely watched, particularly in light of their vocal criticisms of Israel's actions in Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
One key factor in Omar's victory was the absence of significant opposition funding from pro-Israel groups. The United Democracy Project, a super PAC with ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which invested heavily against Bush and Bowman, did not contribute to Omar's race this year. This marks a departure from her 2022 primary, where the group spent $350,000 in support of her opponent.
Omar also benefited from a shift in political focus since her last election. While police reform dominated the discourse in 2022 following the murder of George Floyd in her home state, this issue has taken a backseat in the current election cycle. Additionally, Omar enjoyed a substantial fundraising advantage over her primary challenger, Don Samuels.
The Minnesota lawmaker ran a more active campaign this time around, addressing concerns from her previous close race. Omar stated at a recent rally in Minneapolis:
In the last primary, it wasn't close because we don't have the support of the people that we represent. It was close because we did not remind every single person that there was a primary and they needed to get out and vote.
While Omar secured her victory, her fellow 'Squad' members faced different circumstances in their primary races. Both Bush and Bowman were targets of massive spending by pro-Israel groups, with the United Democracy Project investing nearly $24 million against them combined. This spending contributed to making them the only House Democrats to lose their 2024 primary elections thus far.
Moreover, Bush and Bowman carried additional political baggage that Omar did not face. Bowman was involved in a controversy last year when he pulled a fire alarm in the Capitol complex during a crucial vote, leading to his censure by the House.
Bush, on the other hand, is under federal investigation for allegedly using campaign funds for security services, including hiring her husband as part of her security detail.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has significantly influenced Democratic primaries this year, creating divisions within the party over how to address the conflict. Progressive members of Congress, including Omar, have been pushing for a more forceful stance against the bombing campaign in Gaza.
Omar has long been critical of Israel's policies and was among the first lawmakers to call for a ceasefire. However, she faced backlash in April after suggesting that some Jewish students at Columbia University supported "genocide" during a visit to campus protesters.
In conclusion, Representative Ilhan Omar's primary victory stands out among her 'Squad' colleagues, with Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman losing their races. Factors such as reduced opposition funding, a shift in political focus, and a more active campaign contributed to Omar's success.
The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to be a divisive issue within the Democratic Party, influencing primary races across the country. Omar's win demonstrates her continued support within her district despite ongoing controversies surrounding her stance on Israel.
