Rep. Ilhan Omar and Minneapolis Mayor Frey trade barbs after Omar survives close primary

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul covers Rep. Ilhan Omar’s close primary win and the intensifying conflict between Omar and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in the aftermath of Tuesday’s election.

According to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Omar survived a political crisis by defeating Democratic challenger Don Samuels by only 2,500 votes. The station reports that Omar’s overall vote total declined significantly this cycle—receiving 46,000 fewer votes than she did two years ago. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul notes that in Minneapolis proper, which represents more than half the district and is Omar’s strongest area, her winning margins shrank across all thirteen precincts. The station reports that after losing only one precinct two years ago, Omar lost three precincts this year in the south and west sides—areas that overlap with neighborhoods where a failed Minneapolis police ballot measure performed worst last year.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul documents the public dispute between Omar and Mayor Frey, who supported Samuels. According to the station, Frey directed strong words at Omar after the close race, allegedly claiming she lacks cooperation and good faith. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports that Frey stated Omar largely does not work with him as mayor, adding that she even failed to attend meetings when he visited her in Washington, D.C.

In response, FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports that Omar tweeted criticism of Frey on social media, alleging the mayor is incompetent and claiming he is the sole official responsible for the city, its police department, and public safety. According to the station, Omar also criticized Frey during the campaign over what she alleged would happen if he continued neglecting his job.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul notes the underlying policy disagreement driving the tension. The station reports that Omar supported removing the Minneapolis Police Department from the city charter and replacing it with a public safety agency, while Samuels took a pro-police stance, calling for increased officer numbers. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports that the two officials conducted proxy campaigns against each other—Omar urged voters last year to vote for Frey’s mayoral opponents, and Frey reciprocated his support to Samuels this cycle.

According to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, public safety and police staffing emerged as decisive factors for voters. The station reports that in Loring Park—the sixth precinct where Omar won decisively in 2020—Samuels flipped the district this year. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul interviewed voters in shifting precincts who cited safety concerns as their primary motivation, even when they agreed with Omar on other issues.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports that Omar was unavailable to comment on the close results and did not hold an election night celebration. The station notes that while the primary was extremely tight, the fifth district remains safely Democratic, meaning Omar faces no obstacles in November’s general election.

In FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Own Words

“The matter is not just about sending sharp tweets and acting in bad faith. It’s about working with people.”

“Our incompetent mayor gets upset when we talk about his failures, but as mayor, he is solely responsible for our city, police, and public safety.”

“Public safety and police staffing in Minneapolis are top priorities—one voter supported Omar on every issue but voted for Samuels because of police.”