Omar is latest ‘squad’ member to face primary test

Rep. Ilhan Omar, the Minnesota Democrat who has been a frequent conservative target, faces Democratic rival Don Samuels in a rematch to hold onto her House seat.

Omar, one of the original members of the “squad,” is the latest of the House progressive hardliners to face a primary challenge from the middle as voters continue to signal how they feel about the Democratic Party’s ultra-liberal wing heading into November.

Omar, a Somali refugee, is again facing a challenge from former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, who nearly unseated Omar in 2022 – losing by fewer than 2,500 votes, after making crime central to his political aims. He was among a group of Minneapolis residents who sued the city in 2020 over its depleted police force.

The House seat they are vying for went heavily for President Biden in 2020, so the primary winner is expected to win in November.

It’s been a tough election year for the once-lauded left-wing squad. Two members, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri and Jamaal Bowman of New York, lost their reelection bids to more moderate primary opponents earlier this year. Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania defended her seat from a more moderate Democrat in April.

Both Bowman and Bush faced formidable candidates with support from prominent pro-Israel groups including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Omar faced backlash in 2019 after she suggested that Republican political support for Israel is fueled by AIPAC money.

But AIPAC has largely stayed out of Omar’s primary this cycle, and she’s managed to solidly outraise Samuels in their rematch.

The squad is known for being among the most progressive members of Congress and grew to prominence with the 2018 election of Omar and three other women all under the age of 50 – Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.).

Omar has faced the frequent ire of former President Trump and other conservatives. She was pulled from the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee shortly after Republicans regained control of the chamber in 2023.

“My leadership and voice will not be diminished if I am not on this committee for one term. My voice will get louder and stronger,” Omar said from the House floor just before the vote.

In addition to Omar’s race, Minnesota voters will pick a Republican to face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is seeking a fourth term, in November.

Royce White, a former NBA player, has the state GOP’s backing, but populist rival Joe Fraser has been endorsed by former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other notable Minnesota Republicans.

In neighboring Wisconsin, Republicans, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have largely united around businessman Eric Hovde as their candidate to take on three-term Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin this November.

But the battle among Wisconsin Republicans to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who resigned from the deep red district in April, has been more polarizing. Former President Trump‘s shadow has loomed large over the three-way battle as all three have sought to tie themselves to the top of the GOP’s November ticket.

Former state Sen. Roger Roth, state Sen. Andre Jacque and former gas station owner Tony Wied, who actually holds Trump’s endorsement, share similar conservative policy priorities. The winner will face Democrat Kristin Lyerly, a doctor who performs abortions and has centered her campaign on reproductive rights.

Voters in Vermont and Connecticut also are heading to the polls.

The Hill’s Caroline Vakil