Omar Breaks ‘Squad’ Losing Streak with Primary Victory
Reforming a recent pattern of defeats for the progressive group of Democratic representatives known as “the Squad,” Ilhan Omar from Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District celebrated triumph in the Democratic primary, demonstrating her distinct place in the progressive movement.
The Grapple for the 5th Congressional District
The 5th Congressional District primary race saw the robust competition between Omar and her opponents, Don Samuels, Abena McKenzie, and Nate Schluter. These contenders were hoping to supersede Omar, replicating the achievement of primary challengers who ousted two other Squad members during this cycle of elections.
A reminder that this is not the first time Omar has vied with Samuels. In 2022, they contended in a closely-fought primary challenge where Omar narrowly took the win against Samuels by less than two percent. Later, she scored a breezy victory in the November re-election.
A Break in the Squad’s Losing Streak
This victory plays out against an intriguing backstory – the recent losses of two Squad members in their primary challenges. Jamaal Bowman from New York and Cori Bush from Missouri experienced a reversal of fortunes when they lost their primary races in June and earlier this month, respectively. With these defeats, the Squad seemed to be losing its grip on the Democratic electorate, until Omar’s recent victory defied the trend.
Key to Omar’s success appears to be the absence of a publicity backlash from the United Democracy Project. This Super PAC, affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, did not wage a media campaign against Omar this election cycle, unlike previous years. Some observers think this contributed importantly to her win.
Democrat’s Stronghold: The 5th Congressional District
The 5th Congressional District, covering a large part of Minneapolis, has been a steadfast constituency for Democrats since 1963. This district has proven to be consistent in supporting Democratic presidential candidates too, with all candidates winning since the year 2000.
Ilhan Omar was elected to represent this district in 2019, and with this victory she will continue her role as the Democrat standard bearer for the time being.
Looking Ahead: What This Victory Means
Omar’s primary victory becomes particularly crucial in the larger political context. It is a timely reminder that members of the Squad still carry weight and influence depending on the voting demographics and their respective districts. This win may just provide the morale boost needed for the remaining Squad members facing upcoming elections. However, whether this victory marks any long-term significance for progressive politics within the Democratic party remains to be seen.
