Ilhan Omar Announces Reelection Bid, Declines Senate Run Despite Open Seat in Minnesota
Representative Ilhan Omar, a high-profile member of the progressive “Squad,” has officially confirmed she will seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, opting not to pursue a U.S. Senate seat that is set to open in Minnesota.
Political observers had speculated that Omar might aim higher after Democratic Senator Tina Smith announced her retirement, leaving a coveted Senate seat vacant for 2026.
However, Omar surprised many by choosing to stay the course and run again for Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District—a seat she has held since 2019.
“In this moment, when our fundamental rights are under attack, it is more important than ever to stand up to the chaos, corruption, and cruelty of the Trump agenda,” Omar said in a statement reported by MPR News.
“That’s why I’m running for reelection in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District—to keep fighting for our people.”
Omar added, “In Minnesota, we believe in the power of grassroots movements. Organized people will always defeat organized money.
Our campaign is committed to building on our momentum to achieve record turnout and help reclaim the House majority.”
Omar’s decision gives her a more predictable path forward. Her district, centered around Minneapolis, is heavily Democratic and includes a large Somali-American population, providing her a strong base of support. A statewide Senate campaign, by contrast, would require broader appeal across a more politically diverse electorate.
The Senate seat opened up when Sen. Tina Smith, who was appointed in 2018 and won reelection in 2020, announced in February that she would not seek another term.
“Serving in the Senate has been the honor of my life,” Smith said on X (formerly Twitter). “But after 20 years in public service, I’m ready to focus more on my family.”
While Omar remains focused on her House seat, attention is also turning toward other progressive Democrats who may challenge more established party figures.
Most notably, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), another Squad member, has been the subject of speculation about a potential future Senate bid.
A recent Data for Progress poll suggested that Ocasio-Cortez could pose a serious challenge to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a hypothetical 2028 primary.
The survey, conducted from March 26–31 among likely Democratic primary voters in New York, showed Ocasio-Cortez leading Schumer by a striking 19 points—55% to 36%.
The poll also found that Ocasio-Cortez enjoys widespread support among key voter groups, including younger voters, women, and voters of color.
Schumer, despite his long tenure and current leadership role, scored the highest disapproval rating among all major Democratic figures surveyed.
These results signal growing dissatisfaction among progressives with establishment Democrats, especially in light of recent compromises with Republicans, including a contentious budget deal involving former President Trump.
A significant 84% of those polled believe that Democratic leaders in Washington aren’t doing enough to push back against Trump and the MAGA movement, raising concerns about the party’s direction heading into future elections.
As the 2024 and 2026 election cycles take shape, all eyes will be on how these internal party dynamics play out—and whether figures like Omar and Ocasio-Cortez continue to reshape the Democratic Party from within.
