Rep. Ilhan Omar emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, defeating former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels in a rematch of the previous primary. The results improved for Omar compared to the 2022 primary, notably in the district’s two largest counties. The primary race included other candidates such as Abena McKenzie and Nate Schluter.
Omar’s win was called at 10:40 p.m. ET after the polls closed at 9 p.m. ET. The 5th District race marked another challenge from a more centrist liberal against a member of the progressive U.S. House “Squad.” This was the third such challenge in recent months, following Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri’s defeat. In the campaign, Samuels criticized Omar for comments related to Israel and antisemitism.
Omar had a significant spending advantage over Samuels, with $6.2 million spent leading up to the primary, compared to Samuels’ approximately $1.4 million. The district, centered around Minneapolis and its western suburbs but excluding St. Paul, has the majority of its residents in Hennepin County.
Omar’s victory was attributed to her performance in Hennepin County, where she secured a significant lead over Samuels. Samuels needed to win in Ramsey and Anoka counties and narrow the margin in Hennepin to secure a path to victory. However, Omar maintained a steady lead throughout the district’s reporting, securing her win in this closely-watched race.
The AP’s Robert Yoon in Washington contributed to this report on the primary election results for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. Stay updated on the 2024 election coverage by visiting the AP’s dedicated hub for election news.
