Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., pictured in January, made history in 2018 as the first Somali American elected to Congress.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Rep. Ilhan Omar has won her primary, informally securing a hold on Minnesota’s historically Democratic-run 5th Congressional District, The Associated Press projects.
After a high-profile first term in Congress, the freshman representative faced several primary challengers, the most prominent being Antone Melton-Meaux, a first-time political candidate who runs a mediation company.
Omar’s 2018 win marked several firsts for the U.S. Congress. She made history as the first Somali American elected and was the first of two Muslim women elected to Congress that same year.
Shortly after taking office, Omar came under fire and then apologized for making comments over Twitter that were interpreted as anti-Semitic. Her tweets sparked a backlash from Republican and Democratic leaders alike, prompting her to issue an apology.
Omar is part of the widely known “squad,” a group of four progressive freshman congresswomen of color including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
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[SIZE=6]The progressive lawmakers held their own against Democratic primary challengers in recent weeks[/SIZE]
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The ‘Squad’ seems positioned to influence Congress for years after a strong showing by key members in closely watched primaries with national implications.
With Rep. Ilhan Omar’s victory on Tuesday, she joined squad members Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who all held their own against Democratic primary challengers in recent weeks.
President Trump has loudly voiced his opposition to the “squad” as a whole.
He has also aimed his criticism specifically at Omar, referring to her as “an America-hating socialist” at a fall rally last year in Minneapolis.
Omar received endorsements from progressive allies including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Her opponent allegedly spent millions of $$$ against her (16 times over her), lakini kwa ground vitu ni different. She relates and connects very well with the common folks, and spends time with them on the ground/streets.
