Ilhan Omar defeats pro-Israel groups by winning Minnesota elections

Progressive US Representative Ilhan Omar has narrowly defeated her Minnesota primaries challenger Don Samuels, despite heavy support from pro-Israel lobbyists to opponents of the Muslim representative.
“Tonight’s victory is a testament to how much our district believes in the collective values we are fighting for and how much they’re willing to do to help us overcome defeat,” Omar expressed in a statement after Samuels’ concession.
Omar maintained her seat in Congress, winning 50.3 per cent of the vote, compared to 48.2 per cent won by her opponent, Samuels.
Representative Omar, one of the most prominent lawmakers in Congress, faced off against four Minnesota Democrats in her bid for a third term. She is the latest member of the progressive group known as the “squad” to defend her seat this year.
Omar’s election in 2018 shook the US Democratic Party institution, and she has been the firm favourite since the start of the race to win the primaries. Omar raised more than $2.3 million to support her campaign.
Omar has become a powerful voice on racial justice and police reform issues. However, her opponents have called her divisive; allegations often echoed by supporters of former US President Donald Trump and followers of the Israeli lobby in the US.
Pro-Israel groups fiercely supported Omar’s opponents, while these groups considered the elections in Omar’s constituency as a proxy battle over the direction of the Democratic Party regarding Israel.

US: Tlaib secures comfortable victory despite pro-Israel ‘dark money’