[ "In Minnesota, we know that organized people will always beat
organized money. Despite outside efforts to defeat us, we once again
broke turnout records. Despite the attacks, our support has only
grown."] [[link removed]]

'OUR MOVEMENT DIDN'T JUST WIN. WE EARNED MANDATE FOR CHANGE,' SAYS
ILHAN OMAR AFTER SOUNDLY DEFEATING BIG-MONEY CHALLENGER  
[[link removed]]

 

Jake Johnson
August 12, 2020
Common Dreams
[[link removed]]


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_ "In Minnesota, we know that organized people will always beat
organized money. Despite outside efforts to defeat us, we once again
broke turnout records. Despite the attacks, our support has only
grown." _

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) campaigns at the intersection of Broadway
Avenue and Central Avenue on August 11, 2020 in Minneapolis., .
(Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

 

Fueled by small donations, grassroots progressive enthusiasm, and
an expanding base
[[link removed]] of support,
Rep. Ilhan Omar on Tuesday handily defeated a dark money-backed
challenger
[[link removed]] in
the Democratic primary for Minnesota's 5th congressional district—a
win the progressive incumbent characterized
[[link removed]] as further
evidence that "organized people will always beat organized money."

Omar, a Somali refugee and one of the strongest progressive voices in
Congress, was leading Anton Melton-Meaux by a comfortable 18-point
margin
[[link removed]] with
96% of precincts reporting when the race was called. Melton-Meaux was
one of four candidates who attempted to oust Omar, but his campaign
was by far the best-funded—according to
[[link removed]] the
Center for Responsive Politics, large donations made up 90% of the
$4.1 million he raised.

But Melton-Meaux's big spending—much of which was funneled through
anonymous corporations
[[link removed]]—was
not nearly enough to unseat Omar, who said her victory Tuesday amounts
to a "mandate for change" from the people of Minnesota. Omar's win in
the heavily Democratic district virtually guarantees she will retain
her seat.

"Despite outside efforts to defeat us, we once again broke turnout
records. Despite the attacks, our support has only grown," Omar wrote
in a series of tweets late Tuesday. "This election isn't about me.
It's about an agenda rooted in people’s everyday struggles—and the
corporations and right-wing donors who are threatened by it."

"It's about standing up to a president who promised to ban an entire
group of people from this country based solely on their Muslim
identity, calls our countries of origin 'shithole countries,' and
threatened to send us back to where we came from," Omar continued.
"It's about standing up for the basic human rights around the
world—and fighting a military-industrial complex that opposes the
recognition of people's humanity and dignity."

Omar's victory was celebrated by her progressive allies in Congress
and advocacy groups that backed her reelection fight. "Congratulations
to Ilhan Omar, a leader of incredible courage, for winning her primary
in Minnesota tonight," said
[[link removed]] Sen.
Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). "Americans want bold, progressive leaders like
Ilhan in Congress, and together we will create a nation that works for
all."

The youth-led Sunrise Movement tweeted
[[link removed]] that
Omar—a vocal supporter of the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and
other big-ticket priorities—has "been a bold and progressive leader
since she stepped foot Congress and we couldn't have been any prouder
to support her in her re-election."

"Congratulations Ilhan," the group added, "we can't wait to keep
fighting alongside you."

With Omar, Rep. Rashida Tlaib
[[link removed]] (D-Mich.),
and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
[[link removed]] (D-N.Y.)
having vanquished their primary challengers and Rep. Ayanna Pressley
(D-Mass.) running unopposed next month, "The Squad" is poised to
secure at least another two years in Congress. Dave Wasserman of
the _Cook Political __Report _noted
[[link removed]] that "so
far, the three members of The Squad who have faced 2020 primary
challenges have prevailed by a combined 201,235 votes to 105,993
votes."

"Despite all the manufactured hype and money spent attacking them, The
Squad is winning, it's growing, and is here to stay," advocacy group
Justice Democrats tweeted
[[link removed]], alluding
to Cori Bush's upset win
[[link removed]] in
Missouri and Jamaal Bowman's victory
[[link removed]] in
New York. "Ilhan Omar fights for her constituents with courage and a
positive progressive vision."

_JAKE JOHNSON [[link removed]] is a
staff writer for Common Dreams. Follow him on Twitter: @johnsonjakep
[[link removed]]_

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