Politics
Ilhan Omar Announces Decision On Senate Run
With Minnesota’s open Senate seat drawing interest from high-profile names on both sides of the aisle, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has made her decision — and it’s not a bid for higher office.
The progressive congresswoman confirmed Thursday that she will seek reelection to her U.S. House seat, opting out of what could become one of the most competitive Senate primaries in the country. Her choice comes as the race to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) begins to take shape, with familiar Democratic faces already making moves.
“I am excited to announce I am running for reelection for Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District to keep standing up for our rights in the face of authoritarianism,” Omar said in a statement first reported by Minnesota Public Radio.
A founding member of the House’s left-wing “Squad,” Omar had long been floated as a potential Senate contender. Her decision to stay in the House spares her party a potentially divisive primary battle, but it also removes a nationally known name from a contest that’s already heating up.
WASHINGTON, DC – May 1, 2024: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) speaks at a press conference outside the Capitol.
On the Democratic side, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has already launched her campaign and quickly picked up an endorsement from former Sen. Al Franken. Former state Sen. Melisa López Franzen is also in the race, and Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), currently the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, is still weighing a run.
Democrat Governor Tim Walz has ruled out a Senate bid, but the field remains far from settled.
The GOP side isn’t staying quiet either. Royce White, who previously challenged Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2022, has entered the race again.
Retired Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze is also running, potentially adding intrigue to a general election matchup in a state that’s become increasingly competitive.
Washington, DC – January 26, 2023: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks in support of the No Muslim Ban bill during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol.
According to the Cook Political Report, Smith’s seat is rated “Lean Democrat,” meaning the party can’t afford missteps as Republicans aim to flip the seat.
Omar, meanwhile, is gearing up for another campaign in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, where she narrowly defeated former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels in the August 2024 Democratic primary. Despite her national prominence, her hold on the seat has shown signs of vulnerability in recent cycles.
She also made headlines last year when she endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris for president following former President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection, aligning herself with a broader bloc of progressive lawmakers backing Harris in 2024.
While speculation had built around a Senate run, Omar’s decision signals a desire to consolidate her role in the House, where she has built a brand centered on sharp critiques of both Republican leadership and her own party’s establishment.
