Ilhan Omar Wins Primary in Minnesota

Rep. Ilhan Omar successfully secured her position in the Democratic primary, defeating challenger Don Samuels with 56% of the vote to his 43%. This victory is significant as it allows Omar to avoid the fate of fellow Squad members who recently lost their primaries, and it highlights the lack of substantial financial backing from pro-Israel groups for Samuels, contrasting with the support given to other challengers. Despite a late push from conservatives to influence the open primary, Omar's extensive fundraising and endorsements from prominent figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, bolstered her campaign. Samuels, who previously came close to defeating Omar in 2022, criticized her divisive rhetoric regarding Israel and the Gaza conflict. Omar's win is positioned against a backdrop of internal Democratic tensions over Israel and Palestine, as her political stance continues to draw both support and criticism. She will face Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi in the general election, in a district that heavily favors Democrats.