Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

15 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

15 hours ago

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

19 hours ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

21 hours ago

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

21 hours ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

24 hours ago

Wrongly Deported Migrant Abrego Again Detained by US Immigration Officials

24 hours ago

Fresno County Wildfire Burns 3,338 Acres, Evacuation Orders Issued

24 hours ago
Victory Offers Muslim Candidate New Platform to Oppose Trump
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 7 years ago on
August 16, 2018

Share

MINNEAPOLIS — President Donald Trump, meet Ilhan Omar.
Just two years ago, the Minnesota Democrat became the first Somali-American elected to a state legislature. Now she’s likely to become one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress. And she says one of her top priorities will be resisting the Trump administration, which would forbid her from entering the U.S. if she were attempting to immigrate today.
“I myself would have been part of the travel ban,” Omar said on the campaign trail.
Her victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for a House seat from the immigrant-rich Minneapolis area depended heavily on support from people who feel persecuted in Trump’s America and voters who empathize with them.
No Republican has won the heavily liberal district since 1962, making the primary the de facto election, though Omar will face Republican candidate Jennifer Zielinski in November.

A New National Voice

Winning the seat will position her as a new national voice against administration policies. The seat opened up when Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, launched a last-minute bid for attorney general after serving six terms.

“There is a clear and dangerous crossroads to where our country finds itself. You can see the politics of fear and scarcity that’s led us to the current administration we have.” — Ilhan Omar, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives
Omar’s victory over a crowded field marked the latest milestone in the meteoric political rise of a woman who spent her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp and immigrated to the United States at age 12. She won her seat in the state House in 2016.
On Tuesday, she defeated two more experienced candidates — former House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray — as well as another Somali-American.
During the campaign, Omar often addressed the country’s divisions.
Omar was not giving interviews Wednesday, her campaign said.

Supporters Cheered Omar On

Supporters cheered on the hijab-wearing candidate when she took the stage Tuesday night to claim victory. She recalled how she was just 8 when her family fled the civil war in Somalia and described what her win would have meant to that 8-year-old girl in the refugee camp.

“I think it sends a strong message for inclusion. Our win didn’t come just from the Somalis. We built a coalition, and that sends a message that people are sick and tired of the politics of fear. … People want to include us in the political process, and they welcomed us into their homes.” — Mohamud Noor, Democratic candidate seeking election to the Minnesota House of Representatives 
“Today I still think about her, and I think about the kind of hope and optimism all of those 8-year-olds around the country and world get from seeing your beautiful faces elect and believe in someone like me,” an emotional Omar told the jubilant crowd.
The other Muslim woman who is likely to join Congress in January is former Michigan state Rep. Rashida Tlaib , a Palestinian-American who won a Detroit-area Democratic primary last week and is running unopposed in November.
Tlaib came to Minneapolis to campaign for Omar at a Middle Eastern restaurant last weekend at an event that was disrupted by conservative provocateur Laura Loomer.
Energized by the anti-Muslim rhetoric of Trump and his supporters, as many as 90 Muslims have run for national or statewide offices in this election cycle, including at least 15 in Minnesota.
They include Mohamud Noor, who won Tuesday’s primary in Omar’s state House district and will likely become the first Somali-American man elected to the Legislature; Hodan Hassan, a woman who won in a neighboring legislative district; and Fardousa Jama, a woman who advanced to the general election in a Mankato City Council race.

Bringing Undeniable Star Power to the Race

The victories reverberated beyond Minnesota, Noor said.
“It’s not just a celebration here. It’s a global celebration. I’ve been getting calls from all over the world,” he said, citing Somalia and countries of the Somali diaspora as far away as Australia.
Because Omar was in the Democratic minority in the Minnesota House, she has few legislative accomplishments. But she brought undeniable star power to the race, riding the fame from her history-making election to a spot on the cover of Time magazine. She also had a cameo in a recent Maroon 5 music video for “Girls Like You,” a song that played through the loudspeakers as Omar entered her victory party.
Among those celebrating was Khalid Mohamed. The Star Tribune reported he wore an American flag draped around his shoulders while holding a Somali flag in hand.
“This is back home,” the 25-year-old told the newspaper as he gestured to the small light blue flag with a white star. “And this is home now,” he added, wrapping the U.S. flag tighter around his chest.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

DON'T MISS

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

DON'T MISS

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

DON'T MISS

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

DON'T MISS

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

DON'T MISS

Entz: Bulldogs Must ‘Learn, Burn, Return’ After Kansas Loss

DON'T MISS

Caleb Quick’s Father, Other Parents Protest at Fresno Court to Repeal Prop 57

UP NEXT

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

UP NEXT

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

UP NEXT

CA Bill To Give Interest On Insurance Payments To Homeowners

UP NEXT

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

UP NEXT

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

UP NEXT

US National Guard Troops in Washington to Begin Carrying Weapons, Officials Say

UP NEXT

Trump to Sign Orders Aimed at Ending Cashless Bail Policies

UP NEXT

Pentagon Working on Plans for Military Deployment in Chicago, Washington Post Reports

UP NEXT

Hegseth Authorizes Troops in DC to Carry Weapons

UP NEXT

Texas, Florida Seek to Join Legal Challenge to Abortion Pill

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

15 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

15 hours ago

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

16 hours ago

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

16 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

16 hours ago

Entz: Bulldogs Must ‘Learn, Burn, Return’ After Kansas Loss

17 hours ago

Caleb Quick’s Father, Other Parents Protest at Fresno Court to Repeal Prop 57

17 hours ago

SF Has Avoided Trump’s Ire Until Now. Will He Send National Guard?

19 hours ago

Lil Nas X Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Charges of Assaulting Police

19 hours ago

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

19 hours ago

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

Steven R. Lewis, the brand new chief executive officer of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, says he’ll be prepared to ax p...

11 hours ago

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission CEO, Steven Lewis
11 hours ago

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

Fresno County sheriff’s deputy Jaime Mendoza, 30, was arrested Monday, August 25, 2025, on suspicion of domestic violence, officials said. (Fresno County SO)
11 hours ago

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

fresno
15 hours ago

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

YouTube app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021. (Reuters File)
15 hours ago

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

California Governor Gavin Newsom, along with local congressional representatives, state officials and supporters, speaks as he announces the redrawing of California's congressional maps, calling on voters to approve a ballot measure, in response to a similar move in Texas being supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 14, 2025. (Reuters File)
15 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

16 hours ago

Two Students Arrested After Fight at Visalia’s Redwood High School

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Oval Office, at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 25, 2025. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)
16 hours ago

Trump Wants to Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea

16 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Man After Shooting and Stabbing Leave Two Hospitalized

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend