Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. defeated several major rivals On Tuesday, NBC News projects a victory for progressives after the defeat of two of their “staff” members this summer.
Omar defeated former Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels, who lost to him by just 2 percentage points in the 2022 primary, and two other opponents in Minnesota’s 5th District.
Representatives. Jamaal BowmanNew York and Cory BushMembers of Missouri’s progressive “caucus” of legislators — also of color — have lost primaries in recent weeks based on the Democratic Party’s split over the Israel-Hamas war.
Unlike other progressives who are sharply critical of Israel, Omar did not face attack ads from outside groups. The United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobby group, dropped out of Omar’s race after spending millions to defeat Bush and Bowman.
Omar has stepped up his campaign after narrowly losing to Samuels two years ago. As of July 24, his campaign has spent more than $6.1 million on the race, according to the most recent campaign finance reports. At one point in the 2022 primary, his campaign had spent just $71,000. Samuels’ campaign spent $1.2 million on this year’s race.
On the airwaves, Omar focused on positive messaging, highlighting President Joe Biden’s message praise for his work In Congress, his support for abortion rights and its background.
“Minnesota may be cold, but those of you who call this place home, you are warm and caring and hardworking and resilient and proud,” she said. one of his television commercials. “You welcomed me as a refugee. You taught me the power of organization and democracy. You are the one I fight for every day to ensure food security, affordable housing and health care.”
Samuels tried to portray Omar as out of touch with the district an announcement he is “missing on the issues that matter most to us.”
“Omar championed the abolition of policing with increasing gun violence and voted against President Biden’s plan to rebuild roads and bridges and expand public transit and electric car charging networks,” the ad’s explainer said. “We deserve better.”
While Bush and Bowman’s opponents used theirs votes against a bipartisan infrastructure package In their primaries, Samuels could not suppress this attack with Omar’s material advantage.
The dark blue 5th District, which includes Minneapolis, is expected to remain in Democratic hands in November. According to calculations, Biden won 63 points in the district in 2020 Daily Kos Elections.