«We know that organized people will always beat organized money,» Omar said.
Fueled by small donations, grassroots progressive enthusiasm, and an expanding base of support, Rep. Ilhan Omar on Tuesday handily defeated a dark money-backed challenger in the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district — a win the progressive incumbent characterized as further evidence that “organized people will always beat organized money.” Omar, a Somali refugee and one of the strongest progressive voices in Congress, was leading Anton Melton-Meaux by a comfortable 18-point margin with 96% of precincts reporting when the race was called. Melton-Meaux was one of four candidates who attempted to oust Omar, but his campaign was by far the best-funded — according to the Center for Responsive Politics, large donations made up 90% of the $4.1 million he raised. But Melton-Meaux’s big spending — much of which was funneled through anonymous corporations — was not nearly enough to unseat Omar, who said her victory Tuesday amounts to a “mandate for change” from the people of Minnesota. Omar’s win in the heavily Democratic district virtually guarantees she will retain her seat. “Despite outside efforts to defeat us, we once again broke turnout records. Despite the attacks, our support has only grown,” Omar wrote in a series of tweets late Tuesday.
