Far-left Democratic “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar is facing a rematch in the 2024 Democratic primary against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels.
My name is Don Samuels and I am running for Congress. In 2022, we came within a mere 2 percentage points, of unseating the incumbent, Rep. Ilhan Omar. The overwhelming support we received laid the foundation for a rematch that holds the promise of a better future for our district pic.twitter.com/tD3orW4eGG
— Don Samuels (@DonSamuelsMN) November 14, 2023
Samuels, narrowly defeated by Omar in the 2022 primary, has announced his candidacy again, citing concerns about Omar’s missteps and divisive stance on issues like the Israeli government’s handling of the conflict with Hamas. Despite facing criticism for comments in her first term, Omar won re-election twice. Samuels, a centrist, emphasizes public safety as a key issue and opposes the “defund the police” movement.
The 2022 primary highlighted tensions over the future of policing in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd. Omar, a member of the progressive “Squad,” criticized former President Obama for dismissing “defund the police” as a slogan. Samuels, who led opposition against a 2021 proposal tied to the defund movement, believes safety concerns will be significant in the upcoming election.
BREAKING: Former Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels announces a rematch against Ilhan Omar in the Democratic primary. Samuels lost to Omar by just 2 points in 2022. pic.twitter.com/wL1SwRSg0R
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) November 12, 2023
Samuels suggests that Omar’s narrow primary win indicates vulnerability, especially if competing in a general election. The text notes Omar’s efforts to combat climate change, secure housing for veterans, and address gun violence victims’ mental health.
Omar responds by touting her congressional work, accusing right-wing donors of targeting her, and expressing confidence in driving record turnout to counter Donald Trump in a presidential election year. The text highlights the ideological differences between Omar and Samuels, presenting a potential challenge for Omar in the 2024 primary.
“Right-wing donors have targeted me since I first entered public life,” Omar said. “If we’re going to stop Donald Trump, we need record turnout, and I am confident in our ability to drive turnout, particularly in a presidential election year.”
