Don Samuels Challenges Rep. Ilhan Omar in Democratic Primary

Middle East Conflict and Police Funding to Take Center Stage in Election

Don Samuels, a former Minneapolis City Council member, has announced his campaign to challenge Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in the upcoming primary election.
Samuels lost to Omar by a margin of 2,500 votes in the 2022 congressional race and is positioning himself as a more centrist alternative, criticizing Omar's stance on defunding the Minneapolis Police Department.
One of the key issues in the upcoming election is expected to be the conflict in the Middle East, with Samuels criticizing Omar's response to the Israel-Hamas crisis.
Omar has faced allegations of antisemitism for voting against a House resolution supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.
Other candidates running against Omar include Air Force veteran Tim Peterson, attorney Sarah Gad, and Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi.