Rep. Ilhan Omar Projected To Win Fifth District Primary

MINNEAPOLIS — In 2022, Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar narrowly defeated her Democratic primary challenger, Don Samuels, winning by less than 2,500 votes.

In 2024, it looks like it won't be close. Omar is projected to easily defeat Samuels, a community leader and former Minneapolis City Council member, according to the Associated Press.

With more than 95 percent of the votes in, Omar is well ahead of Samuels and the rest of the field:

Ilhan Omar
67,524
56.21%

Nate Schluter
567
0.47%

Abena A. McKenzie
456
0.38%

Don Samuels
51,581
42.94%

Omar represents Minneapolis and some of its suburbs in the Fifth Congressional District.

Omar is the third member of the progressive "Squad" in the U.S. House — an influential group of progressive, anti-establishment representatives — to face a primary challenge this year.

Both Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri and Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York City suffered surprising defeats by candidates who appeared more moderate and pro-Israel in their campaigns.

Bush and Bowman's opponents received significant financial backing from AIPAC, a major pro-Israel lobbying organization in the U.S.

Like Bush and Bowman, Omar is highly critical of Israel and the nation's war in Gaza. However, AIPAC has not bankrolled Samuels' campaign against Omar this year. Omar has out-fundraised and out-polled Samuels throughout the campaign.