America has had enough of The Squad. Thank goodness!
Following a difficult summer for the “Squad”—the progressive faction within the House Democratic caucus—their remaining members face a critical test this Tuesday as primaries take place across four states in the Midwest and New England.
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is under scrutiny just a week after Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, another Squad member, was defeated in her bid for re-nomination. Additionally, nearly two months ago, Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York lost to a primary challenger. Despite these recent setbacks for her colleagues, Omar remains a leading candidate in her own race. She is campaigning for a fourth term in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, where she faces three challengers in the Democratic primary.
Omar has been a vocal critic of Israel, but unlike Bush and Bowman, she has not faced substantial opposition from the United Democracy Project, a super PAC connected to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The absence of such external spending against her contrasts with the financial onslaught that her fellow Squad members encountered. Omar appears to be in a stronger position than in her previous contests, particularly as she faces off against Don Samuels once more. Samuels has reported increased support and fundraising since Bush’s loss, criticizing Omar for being “divisive and combative.”
This primary in Minnesota is notable as it follows Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 election. A recent viral video featuring Walz praising Omar has added to the political atmosphere surrounding the race.
In contrast, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, perhaps the most prominent Squad member, easily defeated her challenger in June. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, the only other Squad member yet to face a primary challenge this cycle, is expected to win her September race unopposed.
For the Senate races, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is a strong favorite in her primary as she seeks a fourth term. On the Republican side, eight candidates are competing for their party’s nomination. In neighboring Wisconsin, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin faces no primary opposition for her third term. Republican businessman Eric Hovde, who has invested $13 million of his own money and received support from former President Trump, is expected to win his GOP primary with minimal resistance.
In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, two Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in November. Meanwhile, in the 8th Congressional District, the GOP primary is drawing attention as it also includes a special election to fill the remaining term of former Rep. Mike Gallagher, who resigned earlier this year.
Connecticut’s Republican primaries are generating interest as candidates prepare to challenge longtime Democratic incumbents, Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes. In Vermont, the race for governor features two Democrats competing for their party’s nomination to challenge Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who is unopposed in his primary. Despite Vermont’s generally Democratic leanings, Scott remains a popular figure, having secured nearly 70% of the vote in his last election.