Jill Simonian, Director of Outreach for PragerU Kids, criticizes Minnesota’s new state flag, claiming it replaces historical symbolism with an eight-point star reminiscent of totalitarian regimes and erases the state’s unique history. Simonian argues that the new flag disregards the contributions of Native Americans and removes the state’s French heritage, ultimately undermining the importance of understanding the diversity of American states.
May Lor Xiong, a refugee from Thailand and former teacher, secured the GOP nomination for Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District. She will face incumbent Democrat Rep. Betty McCollum in November’s general election. Xiong ran on a platform of tackling inflation and criticizing McCollum’s record, while McCollum has represented the district since 2001 and is considered a safe bet for re-election.
Royce White, a former NBA player and self-described ‘MAGA extremist,’ has won the Republican primary in Minnesota, setting up a challenging race against incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in the fall. Despite facing a well-funded opponent and a state that has trended blue in recent years, White’s victory is seen as a rebuke to the Minnesota GOP establishment.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the ‘Squad’, successfully defended her seat in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, defeating a primary challenge from Don Samuels. This victory comes as other ‘Squad’ members have faced primary defeats, highlighting the shifting political landscape within the Democratic party.
Brad Finstad, the incumbent Republican representative for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, has secured his place in the general election after winning the Republican primary. He will now face Democrat Rachel Bohman, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The district, historically Republican, is considered a ‘solid’ Republican stronghold by the Cook Political Report.
Imam Asad Zaman, a Muslim cleric who has praised Hamas and Adolf Hitler, has been closely associated with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, including speaking at his inauguration and attending events with him. This has raised concerns about Walz’s relationship with Zaman, who has promoted antisemitic views and shared Hamas propaganda online. The governor’s office insists that Walz and Zaman do not have a personal relationship and condemns Hamas terrorism.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has secured her fourth term in the U.S. Senate after winning the Democratic primary election. The veteran senator, who previously ran for president in 2020, faces a favorable general election environment in Minnesota, a state that has leaned Democratic in recent years.
Minnesota State Representative Bjorn Olson, a Republican, argues that Tim Walz, the current governor of Minnesota, is not a moderate Democrat as portrayed by the media. Olson highlights Walz’s record in Minnesota, pointing to rising taxes, economic decline, and controversial policies like free tuition for illegal immigrants and spending on luxury goods for a program to feed hungry kids. He also draws a stark contrast between Walz’s progressive politics and the America First policies of former President Donald Trump, which he believes resonate with Rust Belt voters. Olson concludes that Walz’s selection as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris is a strategic move to win over voters in swing states, particularly in the Rust Belt.
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” faces her own primary election on Tuesday, a week after fellow Squad member Cori Bush lost her re-nomination bid in Missouri. Omar’s challenger, Don Samuels, claims to have seen a fundraising surge following Bush’s defeat, while Omar is considered the favorite in the race.
A leading pension investigator alleges that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, oversaw the manipulation of financial reports in the state’s public school teachers’ retirement system. The investigator claims fees paid to Wall Street investment managers were significantly understated, while returns were artificially inflated. The allegations raise concerns about potential financial mismanagement under Walz’s leadership.
