Ilhan Omar is running for third term in Congress in Minnesota's 5th district. Although she is predicted to win, she faces serious challenges from a Democrat in the primary on Tuesday and a Republican in the general election in November
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Unlike some of her progressive counterparts, Omar has not faced an onslaught of attack ads by AIPAC during this election cycle, possibly because she is not generally seen as vulnerable in her deep blue district that has largely stayed the same with redistricting after the 2020 census.
There are few polls available for this race, but one from June by Change Research has Omar leading with 60 percent, way ahead of Samuels at 21 percent.
"I’m increasingly seeing an urban contingent, often more educated voters, going for these hard-left candidates," said Coleman.
"That would benefit Omar. In urban areas, we’re seeing more of an appetite for candidates like [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] AOC who want to take the fight to Republicans. In this district, Trump took less than 20 percent of the vote. They can nominate a pretty solid progressive."
Nevertheless, any competition means she has to fight for her seat, something she did in 2020 with another serious primary challenger, Antone Melton-Meaux. She was then challenged by a well-funded Republican in the general election, whom she also beat decisively.
"The fact that she keeps getting well-funded and credible challengers shows some discontent in her district," Michael Minta, professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, told TNA. The heavy funding of Omar and her Democratic and Republican challengers has made Minnesota’s 5th district one of the most expensive races in the country.
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