Rep. Omar Faces Fine for Campaign Violations

On Jun. 6 the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board disclosed that Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) violated campaign rules when she used thousands of dollars to pay for her out-of-state travel in a personal pay out in 2016 and 2017

Ilhan Omar via Daily Caller News Foundation

Representative Steve Drazkowski (R- Mazeppa) filed complaints against Rep. Omar in 2018 and alleged that Omar used roughly $6,000 in funds for her own personal use, including payments to her divorce attorney and a trip to Boston.

The Minnesota Campaign Finance Board determined that Rep. Omar must pay $3,469 back to her former campaign committee for the funds she wrongfully used to pay two law firms for their work related to her immigrations documents and tax returns in addition to her personal travel. As part of the penalty, Rep. Omar must also pay a $500 fine.

Rep. Drazkowski responded to the matter by stating that the findings offer  “no reassurance to Minnesotans.” He also adds that “the report raises even more troubling questions.” expressing that he looks “forward to the further disclosures by Rep. Omar and her campaign.”

For comparison, in 2017, the former representative and candidate for state attorney general, John Lesch, faced over $20,000 in campaign violation fines from the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board.

Megan Olson

Megan Olson is a 2020 graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in political science and history. She works in public affairs in addition to serving on the Legislative Advisory Council for School District 196. She is also on the school board for FIT academy, a charter school in Apple Valley.