Gov. Tim Walz, once considered a moderate Democrat, endorsed Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN-05) reelection campaign in a statement released Friday.
The governor said the first-term congresswoman “never runs away from a challenge” in a series of endorsements posted to Twitter.
“Her determination inspires those around her to pursue their passion in the face of adversity. She has quickly established herself as a progressive leader in Congress,” he said.
.@IlhanMN never runs away from a challenge. Her determination inspires those around her to pursue their passion in the face of adversity. She has quickly established herself as a progressive leader in Congress. #MN05
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) July 31, 2020
Omar’s primary challenger, Antone Melton-Meaux, has managed to run an unexpectedly competitive campaign. He raked in more than $3.2 million in campaign contributions between March and April, compared to about $471,624 in donations for Omar.
The Minnesota attorney challenging Omar was able to rake in over $3.2 million between March and April, while Omar’s contributions amounted to around $471,624 pic.twitter.com/oXkF6KAd6e
— Alpha News MN (@AlphaNewsMN) July 29, 2020
He also has the support of some influential Minneapolis progressives, such as civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong.
With less than two weeks to go until the primary election, Omar’s campaign began running its first attack ad Thursday against Melton-Meaux. The ad criticizes Melton-Meaux’s legal career, including his alleged use of “non-disclosure agreements to silence women.”
NEW: @IlhanMN is running her first negative ad against challenger @Antone_MN, highlighting his legal career ("a partner at one of the worst union-busting law firms") and opinions of #MeToo ("used non-disclosure agreements to silence women.") pic.twitter.com/QzAYzyBwNN
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) July 30, 2020
Walz also offered his endorsement to the remainder of Minnesota’s congressional Democrats, including Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Collin Peterson (D-MN-07), Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN).
“I could not be more proud to stand with my friend and our United States Senator, Tina Smith,” Walz said. “Since her first day in the Senate, Tina has been a fierce advocate for Minnesotans as she’s proven she can work across the aisle to get things done.”
Like Walz, Smith recently threw her weight behind Omar’s reelection bid.
“Sen. Tina Smith continues to prove that she is all in with the most radical members of the Democratic Party,” Republican Senate candidate Jason Lewis said in response. “After months of cowering in the basement, at least she’s finally owning up to her radical, anti-American positions.”
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
