Minneapolis — Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive House known as the “Squad” and a vocal critic of Israel’s handling of the Gaza conflict, has won her primary in Minnesota. Omar successfully held her Minneapolis-area 5th District seat against a second attempt from former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, a more centrist liberal who she nearly defeated in the 2022 primary. Speaking to supporters in Minneapolis, Omar reiterated some of the themes from the Harris-Walz presidential campaign.

“We run the politics of joy,” she explained. “Because we understand how enjoyable it is to fight for your neighbors… We understand how joyful it is to ensure that housing is a human right. We understand how pleasant it is to fight for health care to be recognized as a human right. We understand how exciting it is to desire to live in a peaceful and equal world. Omar dodged the demise of two other Squad members. Rep. Cori Bush lost the Democratic nomination in her Missouri district last week, while Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York lost his primary in June. Both faced well-funded opponents and millions of dollars in spending from the United Democracy Project, a super political action committee linked with the American Israel Public.affair committee which appeared to sit out the Minnesota race.

Samuels had chastised Omar for condemning the Israeli government’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Omar has blasted Hamas for bombing Israel and kidnapping civilians, Samuels claims she is biased and divisive. He also highlighted public safety concerns in Minneapolis, where a former cop murdered George Floyd in 2020. Samuels was “very disappointed” at his loss. “What I was hoping is that a strong ground game and an attention to the details of folks who felt left out would trump an overwhelming superiority in dollars,” he said during a telephone conversation. “Clearly money matters a little more in politics than I had hoped.”

Omar reported raising approximately $6.2 million. Samuels raised approximately $1.4 million. Omar will face Republicans. Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American journalist and self-described secular Muslim, deems Omar a Hamas supporter. Meanwhile, in Minnesota’s primary election, conservative populist and former NBA player Royce White upset Navy veteran Joe Fraser to become the Republican nominee to face Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar in November. Former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab, who received backing from former President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the National Republican Congressional Committee, won a heated GOP primary for Minnesota’s 2nd District seat, which is now held by Democratic Representative Angie Craig.

His opponent, defense attorney Tayler Rahm, received grassroots conservative support at the district convention and earned the endorsement. While Rahm stated in July that he was suspending his candidacy to serve as a senior adviser to Trump’s Minnesota campaign, he remained on the ballot. Teirab will face Craig in what is considered to be Minnesota’s most competitive House election this November. “Tonight’s definitive results send a clear message that Republicans are united and ready for change,” Teirab stated. “We are ready to support candidates who will strengthen our economy, secure the border, and restore safety in our communities.”

“He’s a guy who has spent months doing anything to gain the support of Washington Republicans,” Craig explained. “And he’s a guy who has made it his life’s mission to take away reproductive freedoms from families and give those decisions to politicians.” In the U.S. Senate campaign, White, a supporter of imprisoned former Trump advisor Steve Bannon and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, stunned many political observers by defeating Fraser at the party convention for the GOP endorsement. White’s social media statements have been condemned as misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Semitic, and vulgar. His legal and financial issues include unpaid child support and questionable campaign spending, including $1,200 spent at a Florida strip club after losing his primary contest to an Omar prisoner

In the U.S. Senate campaign, White — a supporter of imprisoned former Trump staffer Steve Bannon and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones — surprised many political observers by defeating Fraser at the party convention for the GOP endorsement. White’s social media statements have been condemned as misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Semitic, and vulgar. His legal and financial issues include unpaid child support and questionable campaign spending, including a $1,200 trip to a Florida strip club after losing his primary challenge to Omar in 2022. He claims that, as a Black man, he can extend the party’s base by appealing to voters of color in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and those who are dissatisfied with traditional politics.

After winning, White said on social media platform X, “Bring it on commies…” “The people are coming.” Democratic leaders condemned him as a far-right extremist. “While Royce White’s language and policies seek to divide Minnesotans, Senator Amy Klobuchar is focused on bringing people together to get things done, and she is consistently ranked as one of the most bipartisan and effective legislators in the Senate,” state Democratic Party chair Ken Martin said in a statement. “The choice this November could not be more clear.”

Fraser previously stated that White’s combative attitude and message will not attract the moderates and independents required for a viable challenge to Klobuchar, who is seeking a fourth term. He stated that he represented a more mainstream approach, emphasizing fiscal conservativism, strong military, global leadership, and limited government. Fraser has also talked about his 26 years in the Navy, where he was an intelligence officer and did a combat tour in Iraq. Neither had quite the resources that Klobuchar does. White last reported raising $133,000, while Fraser received $68,000. Klobuchar, however, has raised over $19 million this cycle and has more than $6 million ready to spend on the general election campaign. She had only nominal primary opposition.

Fraser previously stated that White’s combative attitude and message will not attract the moderates and independents required for a viable challenge to Klobuchar, who is seeking a fourth term. He stated that he represented a more mainstream approach, emphasizing fiscal conservativism, strong military, global leadership, and limited government. Fraser has also talked about his 26 years in the Navy, where he was an intelligence officer and did a combat tour in Iraq. Neither had quite the resources that Klobuchar does. White last reported raising $133,000, while Fraser received $68,000. Klobuchar, however, has raised over $19 million this cycle and has more than $6 million ready to spend on the general election campaign. She had only nominal primary opposition.

Another fight between establishment and grassroots Republicans took place in western Minnesota’s 7th District. Trump-backed Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach, one of the most extreme members of Congress, defeated small businessman Steve Boyd. Boyd ran to the right on a religious platform, preventing her from receiving endorsements in the district convention. Boyd reported spending $170,000, whereas Fischbach spent more over $1 million.

Among the legislative primaries on the ballot Tuesday, Democrats chose former state Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart to face Republican Kathleen Fowke in a high-stakes race that will decide not only which party controls the state Senate, but also whether Democrats maintain their narrow “trifecta” control of both chambers and the governor’s office. Democrats leveraged that power to implement a bold agenda over the last two years, putting Gov. Tim Walz on the radar of Vice President Kamala Harris before she chose him as her running mate. This will be the lone state Senate seat on the November ballot. The seat in the western Minneapolis suburbs was held by Democrat Kelly Morrison, who will oppose Republican Tad Jude for Minnesota’s third congressional district.