The progressive “Squad” of House Democrats is facing a critical week as four states hold primary elections. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, known for her outspoken views and history-making status as the first Somali American in Congress, faces three challengers in the Democrat primary on Tuesday. The race comes just a week after fellow Squad member Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri lost her bid for re-nomination, adding to the group’s recent challenges.
Don Samuels, Omar’s top challenger, claims to have seen a significant surge in fundraising and volunteer support following Bush’s defeat. He criticizes Omar as “divisive and combative,” arguing that she focuses on dividing her constituents instead of finding common ground.
Omar, who is seeking a fourth term representing the Minneapolis-anchored 5th Congressional District, is considered the favorite in the race. However, the recent struggles faced by other Squad members, including Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York who lost his primary in June, have raised questions about the group’s future.
While Omar has been a vocal critic of Israel, she has not faced any targeted ads from the United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), unlike Bush and Bowman who were targeted with millions in outside spending.
Beyond Omar’s primary, Tuesday’s elections will see a range of contests across the Midwest and New England.
In Wisconsin, Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin is unopposed in her bid for a third term, while Republican businessman Eric Hovde, backed by former President Trump, faces nominal opposition in the GOP primary.
In Connecticut, Republican primaries will see candidates challenge longtime Democrat members of Congress, Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes.
Vermont will also hold a Democratic gubernatorial primary, with the winner facing Republican Gov. Phil Scott in November. Scott, a moderate Republican who has been critical of Trump, is unopposed in his party’s primary as he seeks a fifth term.
Meanwhile, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the overwhelming favorite in the Minnesota Democratic Senate primary, seeking a fourth term representing the state in the chamber.
The outcomes of these primaries will have significant implications for the 2024 election, shaping the landscape of both congressional and state-level politics.
