Ilhan Omar wins tight 5th District primary challenge as Samuels concedes down just over 2,400 votes

Ilhan Oomar
Photo credit Win McNamee/Getty Images

Fifth district congresswoman Ilhan Omar defeated former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Omar, who will be the overwhelming favorite in November's general election against Republican Cicely Davis, received 50.35% of the vote compared to Samuels' 48.2%.

Samuels conceded the race late Tuesday night.

"When you get the obligatory endorsements of the Speaker of the House and other DFL leaders, it's tough to beat," he said. "To come this close, it means we have the finger on the pulse of this exhausted majority."

Samuels added that he wants Tuesday's results to send a clear message to Omar.

(Results Here)

"My only hope is that my opponent will have learned a lesson from this. You cannot give poor constituent service, put your own dreams above the dreams above the visions and desires of your community, hold scant and scarce townhall meetings, not be available to the press that serves your community, and get re-elected easily."

Two elections underway in the First Congressional District included a special election to fill the seat of the late Jim Hagedorn.

Republican Brad Finstad held a narrow lead over challenger Jeff Ettinger as of early Wednesday morning.

Jim Schultz, the GOP endorsed Attorney General candidate, beat back a primary challenge by Doug Wardlow, who did not embrace the party's nominee.

Schultz faces DFL incumbent Keith Ellison.

DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon will face a challenge by the GOP endorsed candidate Kim Crockett.

Charged with running the state's elections, Crockett has called the 2020 election a "coup and illegitimate," and has questioned whether non-English speaking people and those who are disabled should be allowed to vote.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images