In the upcoming 2024 Democratic primary, Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a member of the “Squad,” is set for a rematch against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. Samuels, who narrowly lost to Omar in the 2022 primary by about 2 percentage points, announced his campaign on WCCO News Talk 830 Radio, expressing his intent to challenge Omar once more.
Samuels criticized Omar’s track record, citing her perceived missteps since the last election and attributing some of his support to Omar’s actions in office. Omar, a Somali American and Muslim, has faced criticism for her comments about Israel and its conflict with Hamas, which some have perceived as invoking antisemitic tropes and suggesting divided loyalties among Jewish Americans.
In discussing the Israeli-Hamas conflict, Samuels emphasized the importance of supporting allies such as Israel while recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization. He stressed the need for prioritizing justice and peace in foreign policy decisions.
Samuels, who was born in Jamaica, believes his narrow loss in the 2022 primary demonstrates Omar’s vulnerability. He argues that a later contest in the general election could have turned in his favor, citing Omar’s substantial victory over a lesser-known Republican opponent in a strongly Democratic district.
A central issue in the 2022 race was the future of policing in Minneapolis, especially following the 2020 death of George Floyd in police custody. Omar, known for her progressive stance, publicly disagreed with former President Barack Obama’s criticism of the “defund the police” movement. In contrast, Samuels led the opposition against a ballot proposal arising from the movement, which sought to replace the police force with a new public safety agency.
Samuels expects public safety to be a key issue again, citing ongoing concerns about investment and safety in the community. Omar, in response, has highlighted her Congressional achievements, including efforts to address climate change, secure housing for veterans, and support mental health initiatives for gun violence victims. She also accused Samuels of receiving significant funding from far-right donors and political action committees.
Omar’s statement underscored the importance of high voter turnout, especially in a presidential election year, to counter the influence of Donald Trump and his supporters.