On Tuesday night, progressives in the House celebrated a crucial victory as Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) won her primary, just one week after Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) lost hers. Unlike the races for Bush and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), where outside influences such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) played a role, Omar’s primary remained free from such interventions despite her outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
This race was a major test for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Omar’s primary challenger, former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels, nearly defeated her two years ago. Despite Omar’s substantial fundraising advantage and higher name recognition, Samuels came close to an upset.
Rep. Ilhan Omar secures primary victory, marking a win for progressives despite heightened scrutiny of their stance on Israel
This year, he challenged Omar again despite heightened scrutiny of progressives due to their criticisms of Israel. He criticized her as divisive and ineffective but was unable to overcome Omar’s well-funded campaign and the absence of AIPAC’s influence.
In Wisconsin, the final major Senate race for the fall was decided, with businessman Eric Hovde securing the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D). Hovde, supported by former President Trump and GOP figures, easily won his primary.
Baldwin, a popular two-term incumbent, will face challenges from Hovde’s wealth and his campaign’s attacks linking her to the Biden administration’s policies. Voters in Wisconsin also rejected two Republican-backed ballot initiatives aimed at limiting Democratic Governor Tony Evers’s fiscal powers.
The measures, intended to restrict the governor’s authority over fund allocation, were opposed by 57% of voters. In a solidly red House district, a Trump-backed candidate, Tony Wied, narrowly won the primary. Wied, who received support from Trump and other GOP figures, outspent his opponents to secure the victory.
Lastly, in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, moderate Rebecca Cooke won the Democratic primary against progressive Katrina Shankland. Cooke, supported by centrist figures, will face Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), a Trump ally, in the general election. This seat is considered lean Republican, but Democrats are hopeful for a pickup.
