Omar Defeats Samuels in Congressional Primary Rematch
Two years ago U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar narrowly defeated challenger Don Samuels in the Democratic primary for the Fifth Congressional District seat. Omar won by about 2 percentage points.
2024 was a more decisive victory.
Omar defeated Samuels by 13 percentage-point margin this time around. The incumbent Omar received 67,920 votes, or 56.2 percent, while Samuels garnered 51,839 votes, or 42.9 percent.
CCX News caught up with Omar as she held an event in Minneapolis. Her district, which leans heavily Democratic, also includes Brooklyn Center, New Hope, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale and Crystal.
Omar held a significant spending advantage in her race against Samuels. Campaign reports obtained by the Associated Press show Omar spent $6.2 million leading up to the primary. That was almost $5 million more than her opponent.
“Despite our best efforts–and the efforts of thousands of volunteers, donors, and our dedicated staff–we unfortunately did not prevail tonight,” said Samuels in a statement Tuesday night. “Still, we believe the results show that people are hungry for a different approach to leadership–one that is focused on the people of the Fifth Congressional District and the challenges they face. Taking on an incumbent, let alone a party-endorsed incumbent, with a national fundraising base is a Herculean task.”
Omar will face Republican Dalia al-Aqidi in the general election. Al-Aqidi, like Omar, is Muslim and a refugee.
Brooklyn Center | Crystal | Golden Valley | New Hope | Robbinsdale
