U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar wins primary rematch with a fourth term in her sights

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and challenger Don Samuels. North News file photos

By David Pierini, Editor

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar won her primary rematch with Northsider Don Samuels Tuesday and appears headed to Washington for a fourth term in Congress. 

Samuels came within two percentage points of winning two years ago and campaigned this year with confidence. 

The results Tuesday night, however, were not close.

With 216 of 217 precincts reporting, unofficial totals showed Omar ahead by nearly 16,000 votes. She led with 56 percent of the vote to Samuels’s 42 percent. Two other challengers, Nate Schluter and Abena McKenzie, each had less than 1 percent. 

"Tonight's victory belongs to our incredible campaign staff. It belongs to the incredible volunteers, our elected leaders, and it certainly belongs to the voters," Omar said at a watch party as reported by Sahan Journal. "We run the politics of joy."

Omar had the DFL endorsement and had out raised Samuels, a former city councilman, heading into Tuesday’s contest.

“It was a rough night but we accept it,” Samuels told North News. “She had $6 million from outside the state and the endorsements of powerful and influential people who were also outside the state. It was power and money all around. That was tough to beat.”

Samuels began his rematch campaign nearly a full year before Tuesday night’s contest with an ambitious schedule of appearances and door knocking. He gained traction with voters two years ago by calling Omar’s views on police reform too extreme.

The close call may have invigorated Omar’s campaign. In the weeks leading up to the primary, Omar held several meetings with constituents, knocked on doors and held a rally that included Sen. Bernie Sanders with an endorsement.

Samuels said he would like Omar’s recent engagement with voters to “become a leadership strategy, not just a campaign strategy.”

Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi was uncontested in her primary and will face Omar in the Nov. 5 general election. 

Samuels did not rule out a third run at the house seat in two years. 

“I will keep my ear to the ground and my heart open,” he said.