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Ilhan Omar Primary – Results Are In
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) won her primary Tuesday night in one of the most closely watched races.
Omar defeated former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels in Minnesota’s deep-blue 5th Congressional District.
The third-term legislator avoided the fate of two Squad members in previous primaries.
“I am honored that my community voted to *send me back to Congress*. Tonight’s victory shows that the Fifth District believes in the collective values we are fighting for in Washington,” Omar said.
I am honored that my community voted to *send me back to Congress*. Tonight’s victory shows that the Fifth District believes in the collective values we are fighting for in Washington. pic.twitter.com/DwcRVI55fQ
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) August 14, 2024
Fox News reports:
The race featured a rematch between Omar and Samuels, who the incumbent representative narrowly escaped losing to in a 2022 primary challenge, inching out a win over Samuels by just under two percentage points before easily coasting to re-election in November.
The Democrat primary in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which the Cook Political Report rates as “solid” Democrat, came amid a backdrop of primary defeats for Omar’s colleagues in the Squad, with Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., losing a primary challenge in June and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., losing her primary earlier this month.
This time around, Omar’s camp felt more confident, with the incumbent not facing the onslaught of advertising by United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. (AIPAC)
According to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Omar defeated Samuels 56 percent to 43 percent.
Multiple X users raised suspicions of a lengthy wait for the election’s results.
Let's take a look at how the Squad member Ilhan Omar "won" her primary election tonight.
Oh. Perfectly normal stuff, gang. pic.twitter.com/Zoqf1zZCQU
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 14, 2024
FRAUD? At 9:22 p.m. only 5 percent of the vote had been counted in Ilhan Omar's race. Just 15 minutes later, 99.5 percent of the votes had been counted — and Omar surged ahead. Nothing to see here, folks. Just keep on walking…
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) August 14, 2024
Rigged Election… Ilhan Omar
If you don’t want this to happen in November-it is time to get involved
Magically it went from 5% to 99% in under 7 minutes…wow
This is a test run for November… we need the machines banned- paper ballots, hand counting.
This is not a drill. pic.twitter.com/s9eQbDoYRj
— ????? ???????? ?????? (@nomandatesco) August 14, 2024
Per USA TODAY:
Samuels narrowly lost to Omar by just over 2,400 votes in what was a closer-than-expected primary challenge in 2022. United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, poured $350,000 into Samuels’ bid that year in a last-minute push to defeat Omar.
But this year, the PAC has largely steered clear of investing into Omar’s race – unlike in other recent primaries.
The group targeted Reps. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y. and Cori Bush, D-Mo., for their public positions against Israel’s government and actions in Gaza after spending at least $14.5 million and almost $9 million in their respective races. Both lost to more moderate challengers, and progressives have criticized the heavy role outside spending played in both Bowman and Bush’s losses.
While also a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, Omar was on significantly different footing compared to her progressive colleagues, who were also dogged by their own scandals. Bowman infamously pulled a fire alarm during a high-stakes vote to avert a government shutdown last year, and Bush is currently under federal investigation over the use of campaign funds for her personal security.
Heading into Tuesday’s race, the Minnesota Democratic lawmaker boasted a significant fundraising advantage over Samuels. Omar’s campaign spent $2.6 million on ads compared to Samuel’s campaign which spent just $32,000, according to AdImpact.