What Went Down In Elections In Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont And Connecticut

Amelia, I was thinking a lot of the same, honestly. Of course, she’s not the only Muslim member of The Squad, but I do wonder how much racism, misogynoir and xenophobia play a factor here …

It’s a fascinating question, Alex. Omar has had some high-profile gaffes — like last year when she was criticized by fellow Democratic House members for a tweet that appeared to compare the U.S. and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas — but I wonder if it’s also related to the fact that it’s just really hard to be a Muslim woman in elected office in the U.S., particularly one who, like Omar, wears a hijab. Maybe that makes her more vulnerable to challenges generally?

Alex, it’s possible Samuels is a stronger candidate than your average primary challenger — and Omar might be weaker than your average incumbent (thus why she keeps attracting opposition). Samuels has deep ties to the community as a former city councillor and former school board member. And the issue of policing may have given him an opening, as he was a prominent opponent of Question 2, the failed city ballot measure last year that would have replaced the police department in Minneapolis with a Department of Public Safety. Omar backed that measure. She’s also had her controversial moments, such as her past comments about Israel and Palestine.