Patch Candidate Profile: Don Samuels For U.S. House

MINNEAPOLIS — In August, Minnesotans will head to the polls and choose from a list of primary candidates ahead of the Nov. 8 general election.

The Aug. 9 primary will include races for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis.

In the congressional race, Democrat Don Samuels is challenging two-term congresswoman, Rep. Ilhan Omar, in the upcoming Aug. 9 primary.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Learn more about Samuels and his positions below:

Are you running for office in Minneapolis? Contact William Bornhoft at william.bornhoft@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

City of residence: Minneapolis, MN

Office sought: U.S. House

District, if applicable: Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Pratt Institute, NY

Occupation: CEO of MicroGrants

Family: My wife is Sondra Samuels. We are proud parents.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Age: 72

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I served 3 terms on the Minneapolis City Council and 1 term on the School Board.

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm running for Congress to make a difference. We need leaders who will work with President Biden to reduce gun violence, create the green jobs of the future, and codify abortion access into federal law.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

While Rep. Omar and I agree on many things, this point in time requires leaders that are willing to work with people of all beliefs to get things done. She has stood against the President on some of the most important votes of his administration. Her votes against the President's signature infrastructure bill, reinforcing our capitol police after the attempted coup of January 6th, and sanctions against Russian oil are only a few examples of her votes against Democratic ideals and interests.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

After the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Rep. Omar becam a leading figure in the "Defund the Police" movement. This position served only to embolden criminals in our communities who took advantage of dwindling numbers of police officers and a lack of public trust in police—to devastating effect.

What are your views on Minnesota's current abortion laws?

I am grateful to live in a state where abortion access is protected, but that is not the case in all states. We must make abortion access the law of the land so that women in every state are protected the same as they would be in Minnesota.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My top priorities as a member of Congress are to reduce gun violence, work with President Biden to create the green jobs of the future, and protect abortion access with federal law.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I served 3 terms on the Minneapolis City Council and 1 on the school board. I am the current CEO of MicroGrants and founder of the Lights On program which works to help build relationships between communities and police by allowing police to issue vouchers for up to $250 to fix lights or other issues rather than issuing a ticket. That program has spread to 15 states currently.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Leave the world better than you found it."

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Any politician can make a point—I promise to make a difference.