Incumbent Rep. Ilhan Omar rallied at Thomas Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis Saturday afternoon alongside U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
Omar and Smith focused their speeches on canceling student debt and providing free school lunches as well as on Omar’s reelection campaign. Sanders honed in on defeating former President Donald Trump this November, recognizing climate change and reducing economic inequality across the U.S.
Before the rally, Omar sat down with The Minnesota Daily to discuss campaign updates for the 5th Congressional District primary election before the Aug. 13 primary election.
The Minnesota Daily: What is one aspect of your 2024 campaign that you are most proud of?
Omar: “We are proud of just the level of grassroots organizing that we are doing. We’re seeing hundreds and hundreds of people sign up to volunteer, hundreds and hundreds of people that are donating to our campaign. It’s been really exciting.”
Daily: What has been a significant challenge you have overcome during the 2024 congressional campaign?
Omar: “The challenge is always trying to figure out how to run a campaign while we are still working in D.C. on behalf of our constituents. When you have an opponent that is home and can physically campaign much more than you can.”
Daily: You and your primary opponent have very different views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. For voters concerned about that conflict, why should they vote for you?
Omar: “I lead with humanity. I want a world in which the humanity of Palestinians and Israelis is equally recognized. Where we are pushing for peace and justice and the dignity of everyone in the world. And my opponent does not.”
Daily: With President Biden’s health concerns and recent drop out of the election, how would you describe your confidence for Democrats winning this election in November?
Omar: “There is really (a) surge in enthusiasm. I am really excited about the ways in which people are engaging with the Harris campaign. We are seeing (a) huge surge in people registering to vote, different groups enthusiastically organizing themselves. I’ve been on many of those Zoom calls that have been organized around the country. We are also seeing the benefits of that enthusiasm. Because there is also a renewed energy with so many people willing to get out to the doors and have conversations.”
Daily: Your husband, Tim Mynett, business dealings have gained a lot of media attention these past few months, has this negatively affected your campaign?
Omar: “The smears and the lies and this idea of hateful campaigning is something that I know that my constituents reject. I know that my opponents previously have tried to generate headlines so that they can use it in attack ads. But the reality is anybody in business has their challenges. I do not think that it is dignified. I don’t think it is a dignified thing for Don Samuels to be weaponizing it.”
Daily: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
“I am running against someone who was in office in elected office for 12 years and has not made a single difference, who’s now running on making a difference when he failed to do that in a 13-body seat and to assume that he would be successful in the midst of 534 colleagues is absurd and everybody should see through that. I am really excited for the opportunity to continue to garner the support of the people that I represent.”
This interview has been edited for grammar, clarity and length.
