New Rump Tweet, having a go at Ilhan Omar and endorsing her opponent

[Celerity]

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Democratic challenge materializes to Rep. Ilhan Omar

Antone Melton-Meaux has money and support in DFL Party bid to unseat representative, but the headwinds remain strong.

https://www.startribune.com/democratic-challenge-materializes-to-rep-ilhan-omar/570146871/



U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar launched her political career with an underdog win over a well-known fellow Democrat. Now she’s facing a challenger trying to pull off the same kind of upset. After a turbulent first term in Congress, Omar faces an unexpectedly strong primary challenge from political newcomer Antone Melton-Meaux, an attorney and professional mediator who has promised a more collaborative style for a Minneapolis-based congressional seat that has been in DFL hands since 1963.

Political handicappers expect Omar, 37, to retain the endorsement of DFL Party delegates later this month. But Melton-Meaux, 47, who has raised more than $400,000 for his fledgling campaign, intends to take the race to Minnesota’s Aug. 11 primary and a broader set of voters. The showdown is highlighting Omar’s stormy first 16 months in Congress, where she established herself as a nationally prominent voice on her party’s left, a foil for President Donald Trump, and a lightning rod for controversy, spanning from her attacks on Israel’s influence in U.S. politics to her well-publicized divorce and remarriage to her political consultant.

Primary challenges against members of Congress are rare in Minnesota, and even more rarely successful. In Omar, Melton-Meaux faces one of the most recognizable new faces of the Democratic Party, a member of the “Squad” of freshman women of color in the House — which has helped her amass more than $3.4 million in campaign cash. But at home, Omar has suffered a few defections in the state’s DFL hierarchy. Most have gravitated to Melton-Meaux. Although he is not Omar’s only DFL challenger, he is by far the best funded.

“He’s got some significant names and resources behind him,” said Mike Erlandson, a former DFL chairman. But Erlandson, a one-time chief of staff to former Fifth District congressman Martin Sabo, said Omar would be hard to unseat. “Few have the fundraising prowess she has behind her. Incumbents are powerful, she has very high name ID, and she’s been relatively quiet this year compared to last,” he said.

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[theaocp]

1. Best of luck to Rep. Omar.

More tired tripe about being able to work with the other side. How about a candidate that promises to negotiate with Republicans after they're on the ground? Grind them into dust.