Rep. Ilhan Omar will run for reelection in the U.S. House, not an open Minnesota Senate seat
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Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar declared her intention Thursday to run for reelection for her current House seat next year — taking her out of the mix for a statewide race.
Omar's decision to run for reelection means she will not seek the opportunity to replace Sen. Tina Smith, a fellow Democrat who is retiring after 2026. Omar had left the door open to a Senate run.
First elected in 2018, Omar will be after a fifth term in the congressional district that encompasses Minneapolis and some inner-ring suburbs.
“At a time when our rights are under attack, it is more important than ever to fight back against the chaos, corruption, and callousness of the Trump Administration,” Omar said in a statement provided to MPR News announcing her intentions to run for reelection.
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“In Minnesota, we know that organized people will always beat organized money. Our campaign is ready to build on our successful grassroots organizing efforts to have a record turnout for the midterms and help win back the majority,” Omar said.
Omar has faced notable Democratic primary challenges over her four terms but won the last one comfortably over former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels.
The 5th District is one of the strongest for Democrats anywhere in the country; Omar won her current term in 2024 with nearly 75 percent of the vote.
Omar did not say whether she plans to endorse anyone in the multicandidate Democratic contest for the seat currently held by Smith.