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Minnesota’s Omar holds off well-funded primary challenger

Minnesota’s Omar holds off well-funded primary challenger
Posted at 7:53 PM, Aug 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-11 22:53:10-04

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has survived a stiff primary challenge from a well-funded opponent who tried to make an issue of her national celebrity. Omar defeated Antone Melton-Meaux, an attorney and mediator who raised millions in anti-Omar money.

The victory means Omar is nearly certain to easily win a second term in November in her solidly liberal district. Melton-Meaux used the cash to paper the district and flood airwaves with his “Focused on the Fifth” message that portrayed Omar as out of touch with the Minneapolis-area 5th District.

Omar had rejected that, saying she was being targeted by powerful interests just because she’s effective.