Omar’s challenger has portrayed the history-making congresswoman and member of the so-called ‘squad’ as too divisive.
Ilhan Omar, a progressive United States representative from Minnesota who in 2018 became the first Somali-American and one of the first of two Muslim women to serve in Congress, is readying for what is expected to be a competitive primary challenge.
Omar, who came to the US as a refugee, has garnered an outsized national profile following her history-making election and while serving as a member of the so-called “squad” – four progressive freshmen women of colour in the House of Representatives who have been outspoken critics of President Donald Trump.
She is set to face off on Tuesday against fellow progressive Antone Melton-Meaux for Minnesota’s fifth district. The winner of the Democratic primary in the overwhelmingly liberal district is all but assured to win the general election in November.
🚨 One day left! 🚨
This is the last day to vote early! You can still drop off your ballot at Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services or Hennepin County Government Center.
Don’t forget to make a plan if you’re voting in person tomorrow: https://t.co/FLbI8aYRnH pic.twitter.com/AUN1KzYJPY
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) August 10, 2020
Omar, for her part, has questioned Melton-Meaux’s motives and suggested he has co-opted her platform for personal gain.
“I don’t know what he’s controlled by. But what I do know is that until recently, there was no platform,” she told the news station. “Until recently, it was, ‘We just need to get rid of Ilhan.'”
Both candidates have raised over $4m leading into the primary.❐
