Minnesota Primary Election Results: Ilhan Omar Projected Winner

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Rep. Ilhan Omar is projected to win her race against challenger Antone Melton-Meaux in Tuesday's Democratic primary for the Fifth Congressional District. Omar is expected to easily win in the general election, which would secure her second term in Congress.

"The opposition to my reelection was never focused on the Fifth District of Minnesota. It was about power," Omar said in a statement Tuesday night.

"It was about maintaining a status quo where women feel that they cannot speak out against sexual harassment. It was about maintaining a system where corporations can fire employees for being pregnant—knowing that a corporate law firm will have their back. It was about pacifying the voices of those who live on the margins of society."

"In the coming months, President Trump and his allies will do everything they can to use fear and division to turn Minnesotan against Minnesotan," Omar added.

"But here in Minnesota we are stronger than hate, we are greater than fear. And we are going to organize to have record turnout in order to defeat Donald Trump and keep Minnesota blue in November. It has been the honor of my life to represent you in Congress and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the 5th District in the years to come. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing to send me back to Congress. As I like to say, here in Minnesota, we don’t just welcome refugees, we send them to Congress."

Preliminary vote totals:

• Ilhan Omar: 88,226
• Antone Melton-Meaux: 60,477
• John Mason: 2,364
• Les Lester: 1,091
• Daniel Patrick McCarthy: 1,656

During the campaign, Omar fought back attacks from Melton-Meaux and others who make the case that she is more interested in celebrity than pushing for real change.

Minnesota's largest newspaper surprised readers last week when its editorial board decided to endorse Melton-Meaux over Omar.

The editorial board of the Star Tribune said Melton-Meaux is the more practical choice for votes.

"Melton-Meaux brings a different sensibility to this race, one grounded in helping resolve disputes to move forward — a skill this country is much in need of," the board wrote in its recommendation.

"While Omar wants to lead a movement, Melton-Meaux seeks to serve the Fifth District."

While Melton-Meaux won the Star Tribune's endorsement, Omar was recently endorsed by Insight News, a journal that serves the African American community in Twin Cities.

Omar is the first Somali-American member of Congress, the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in Congress, and one of the first two Muslim-American women elected to Congress

She quickly became a nationally-recognized, though sometimes controversial figure. Her tweets became a subject of national conversation more than once.

In February, Omar issued an apology after receiving criticism from leaders in her own party over comments about Israel.

While she became a favorite target of President Donald Trump and other conservatives, she rose in popularity among progressives.

Omar, along with Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib have been dubbed "the squad."

Earlier this summer, the four lawmakers announced their official endorsements of one another for reelection in 2020, and created the "Squad Victory Fund," a joint fundraising committee that will support their campaigns and their leadership PACs.

The representatives said their continued leadership is especially critical as their communities struggle from the coronavirus crisis, racial injustices and inequities in health care, housing, education and the economy.

Omar has also endorsed the movement to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.

Melton-Meaux, who grew up in Cincinnati and moved to Minneapolis with his wife, practices law and has his own mediator practice. On his website, said "we need people in Congress who want to get things done—not who get distracted fighting with Donald Trump on Twitter or even with their own party. I'll do the hard work that comes along with the demands of public office, while remaining Focused On The Fifth. I'm dedicated to service, not celebrity."