Omar who is a well-known critic of Israel‘s actions in Gaza, won the primary leading Samuels by 56.2%-42.9% after 216 of the total 217 precints reported their results.
Earlier, Omar, who is also a member of the progressive “Squad” had defeated Samuels, a centrist liberal in 2022.
During her victory speech in Minneapolis, Omar emphasised themes from the Harris-Walz presidential campaign.
“Because we know it is joyful to fight for your neighbors. … We know it is joyful to make sure housing is a human right. We know it is joyful to fight for health care to be a human right. We know it is joyful to want to live in a peaceful and equitable world,” she said.
Speaking about his loss Samuels said, “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. Clearly money matters a little more in politics than I had hoped.”
Omar raised approximately $6.2 million for her campaign, while Samuels raised about $1.4 million. Omar will now face Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi, an Iraqi American journalist who describes herself as a secular Muslim and accuses Omar of being pro-Hamas.
White, Teirab, Fischbach secure GOP victories
In Minnesota, conservative populist and ex-NBA player Royce White won the GOP primary to challenge Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar. Supported by Trump, Joe Teirab secured the GOP primary for Minnesota’s 2nd District against Tayler Rahm, who had suspended his campaign but remained on the ballot. Teirab will face Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in November.
White, controversial for his extreme views, defeated Navy veteran Joe Fraser for the Senate race. Democrats criticised White’s divisive rhetoric, emphasizing Klobuchar’s bipartisan efforts. In other races, Trump-backed Rep. Michelle Fischbach won her primary, and Democrats chose Ann Johnson Stewart for a key state Senate race, which could determine state Senate control.