“U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress and no stranger to criticism from across the aisle, faces a challenge from fellow Democrats hoping to unseat her in a primary election on Tuesday” Reuters reports.
“‘Her progressive politics is a platform of platitudes,’ said Antone Melton-Meaux, a Black lawyer who is one of four candidates challenging Omar in her Minneapolis-based district. A refugee from Somalia, Omar, 37, quickly became a national figure when she was elected in 2018. Republicans rebuked her left-wing politics, and President Donald Trump has falsely accused her of supporting al Qaeda. Republicans and Democrats alike have chided her criticisms of Israel, and she increased her security after death threats. Melton-Meaux, 47, said Omar is more focused on celebrity than serving her constituents. If elected, he said, ‘I will do the work.’ Omar’s campaign has said it is not worried about the election outcome. ‘We’re confident,’ spokesman Jeremy Slevin said.”