MN-05: Rep. Ilhan Omar remains an international celebrity even as she fights to hold onto her district

[RandySF]

Omar will again face a tough Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary opponent in former Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels, who is making the case that her headline-grabbing advocacy is leaving the city without competent leadership to address problems in north Minneapolis neighborhoods like his.

Samuels and Omar agree on many policy issues. In practice, however, in their focus and styles, Samuels and Omar would be far different members of Congress.

Which means primary voters in the 5th District confront a deeper question than a grocery list of issues: Gaza is in ruins, while constituents want affordable health care and easier access to higher education.

All deserve full attention, but which candidate can effectively focus on both?




https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rep-ilhan-omar-remains-international-celebrity-even-she-fights-hold-her-district

[tritsofme]

1. Sounds like a good deal, Don Samuels can be a great pro-Biden voice in Congress, and Omar can focus on being a celebrity

[DFW]

10. Both would probably be doing what they're best at.

Sounds like something to strive for.

[Hekate]

2. The job is to be a US Congresswoman for a district in your home state, for starters...

If my Congresscritter were on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs I would expect a broader range — but at bottom, as the article states:

…. primary voters in the 5th District confront a deeper question than a grocery list of issues: Gaza is in ruins, while constituents want affordable health care and easier access to higher education.

[Nixie]

3. "International celebrity"

I think we know what that really means.

[jimfields33]

6. That she's famous around the world?

I mean that’s a good thing. Many are even in congress.

[Ocelot II]

4. I'm in CD-5 and I'll be voting for Samuels in the primary.

Omar can go be an international celebrity; I want a representative who actually represents everyone in the district and doesn't create unnecessary controversy by saying dumb things like “We should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they are pro-genocide or anti-genocide" - a remark that suggests that Jewish students who (understandably) oppose Hamas are "pro-genocide." I don't support the GOP's efforts to censure her for it, but I do support getting a less tone-deaf representative.

[PatSeg]

9. I'd prefer that our representatives

aren't celebrities. All that media attention tends to interfere with their job.

[DFW]

12. Anyone accusing Jewish students of being "pro-genocide"

They either have a very morbid sense of humor or else a poorly written dictionary.

But then, in the age of “Genocide Joe,” I guess all norms have been cast aside.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Endorsed by the DFL on the first ballot just now; Samuels said earlier he's taking it to a primary.

[David__77]

7. Omar was endorsed at convention?

I can’t find that yet.

[Celerity]

14. Rep. Ilhan Omar wins DFL endorsement on first round of balloting

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/05/11/rep-ilhan-omar-wins-dfl-endorsement-on-first-round-of-balloting

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar won the endorsement of the state DFL party in her re-election bid for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district in a first round of balloting. The backing unlocks resources from the state party ahead of the August primary race.

Rep. Omar won the endorsement over former Minneapolis city council member Don Samuels, whom she defeated by just two percentage points in 2022. During a question-and-answer portion of the convention, Omar was asked about the war in Gaza which she referred to as a “genocide.”

“There is no way for us as citizens of this country to continue to allow our tax dollars to pay for the bombs that are destroying a civilian population,” Omar said to cheers from the audience.

snip

[Ocelot II]

11. Do you live in MN-05?

There are plenty of Democrats here who would prefer a different representative. This isn’t right wing propaganda.

[betsuni]

13. K&R