ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — Delegates of the Minnesota DFL on Saturday, May 9, endorsed incumbent Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for reelection to the U.S. House representing the state’s 5th Congressional District, a safely Democratic seat anchored by Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs.
The district includes all of Minneapolis and nearby first-ring suburbs such as Richfield, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, Brooklyn Center and parts of Fridley. It spans much of Hennepin County while extending into portions of Anoka and Ramsey counties.
Unlike the closely contested 2024 endorsement convention, Saturday’s gathering at St. Louis Park High School unfolded without floor competition after Omar’s sole challenger, LaTonya Reeves, told delegates she would not seek the party endorsement. Only Omar and Reeves were placed in nomination before the convention chair called for additional names.
This year marks the first time her DFL primary challenger is a Black woman.
Reeves used her remarks to call for a broader and more inclusive Democratic Party, warning against internal divisions. “We cannot become the party that only accepts those who agree with the loudest voices and discounts others,” she said, urging Democrats to confront issues such as anti-blackness and antisemitism while rebuilding trust among disaffected voters.
Outside the convention hall, Reeves told Mshale her decision not to pursue the endorsement reflected concerns she heard from constituents. “Our people do not feel safe coming into this space,” she said, adding that many felt the endorsement process did not reflect their voices. “Therefore, I am going straight to the primary.”
Omar’s campaign drew support from some of Minnesota’s most prominent Democratic figures. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan both spoke in her favor, with Smith praising Omar’s performance in office, saying, “This woman knows how to deliver for the 5th Congressional District.”
With Reeves stepping aside, delegates endorsed Omar by acclamation, bypassing what would have been a traditional Q&A and debate between candidates. The mood in the hall quickly shifted away from contest toward broader party politics and business including electing officers for the upcoming year.
The convention, held in a school deeply familiar to many attendees, also served as a stage for other Democratic figures seeking statewide or legislative office. Flanagan, who attended St. Louis Park High School, received an enthusiastic welcome as she campaigns for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Smith. Nehemiah Garley, a Liberian-American challenging state Sen. Susan Pha in Senate District 38, also drew strong applause following his remarks.
Tensions surfaced during a presentation by a representative of U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who is running against Flanagan for the Senate seat. As the speaker addressed delegates, much of the room turned their backs in a visible protest, underscoring deep divisions within the race.
Attorney General Keith Ellison also addressed delegates, earning sustained applause. “This election process we’re going through today is vitally important,” he said. “So is your marching in the streets, so is your mutual aid, so is the litigation that we’re doing.” In a lighter moment, he noted he still needed 2,000 signatures by June 2 to file for reelection.
In her remarks, Omar thanked delegates and Flanagan for their support and framed her reelection bid as part of a broader struggle over national politics and local resources. She highlighted federal funding she said she helped secure for the district, including what she described as $65 million in returned resources.
“What makes it all worthwhile is the incredible work of bringing back resources like the $65 million we brought back to this district,” Omar said. Delegates responded with a standing ovation and chants of “Ilhan, Ilhan.”
Omar, the only African-born member of Congress, first took office in 2019, becoming one of the first Muslim women elected to the U.S. House. Since then, she has faced repeated primary challenges, including from Antone Melton-Meaux in 2020 and Don Samuels in 2022 and 2024.
Reeves launched her campaign in November 2025 but has not reported fundraising on the scale of Omar, who raised approximately $5.09 million for the 2025–2026 cycle through March 31, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
On the Republican side, the GOP has endorsed Dalia Al-Aqidi, who faces primary challenges from Angela Marie Walls-Windhauser and John Nagel.
The August 11 primary is expected to effectively decide the race in the heavily Democratic district, where the party’s nominee has consistently gone on to win the general election by wide margins.
Author
About Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief
Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the board of the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.
- Web |
- More Posts(492)
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
