The ongoing primary races have become a battleground for the House's progressive faction, notably affecting members of the Squad.
The Daily Mail reported that progressive members of the Squad, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, are confronting stiff primary challenges, with multiple members already being knocked out.
Significant financial backing from pro-Israel groups has marked the primary challenges faced by members of the Squad. This funding trend has notably impacted Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri and Jamaal Bowman of New York who lost their primary races.
Representative Ilhan Omar from Minnesota is also facing a rigorous challenge from Don Samuels, a Minneapolis city councilman. Their previous contest in 2022 was a tight race, with Omar edging out Samuels by fewer than 2,500 votes.
Although AIPAC, a major pro-Israel group, announced plans to spend $100 million to oppose candidates who do not support Israel, their involvement in the Omar-Samuels race has been limited this cycle.
A poll released by the Samuels campaign in spring indicated that Omar's support among Democratic voters was below 50%. When voters were informed of Samuels' platform, Omar's lead shrank to a margin of 41% to 48%.
However, a contrasting poll conducted for Omar's campaign showed a more comfortable lead for her, with results indicating a 27-point advantage, 60% to 33%.
The issue of Israel has become a divisive topic within the Democratic House, further polarized by recent conflicts in Gaza. This division has influenced the political landscape significantly, impacting the primaries of Squad members.
Cori Bush lost her primary to Wesley Bell, who aligned more closely with pro-Israel groups, contrasting with Bush's pro-Palestinian stance. This support was seen as a crucial factor in her defeat.
Similarly, Jamaal Bowman faced significant opposition from AIPAC, which supported Westchester County Executive George Latimer. Bowman's primary loss was also attributed to his defense of Palestinians and criticism of Israeli policies.
Bowman's tenure was further marred by incidents such as pulling a fire alarm during a vote and a confrontation with Rep. Thomas Massie, which did not sit well with some constituents and political observers.
Amidst these political skirmishes, Omar has faced accusations of antisemitism, which she addressed by emphasizing the importance of safety and tolerance for all Jewish students, regardless of their political stances.
House GOP Whip Tom Emmer has called for an ethics investigation into Omar following allegations of her prioritizing Somalia over U.S. interests, increasing the scrutiny on her actions and statements.
Don Samuels has critiqued Omar's political perspective as "a very immature interpretation of reality," indicating a fundamental disagreement on policy interpretations between the two.
Following Cori Bush's loss, Samuels took to X to express his approval, suggesting a shift in Democratic voter sentiment and advocating for a similar change in Minnesota's 5th congressional district.
Mark Mellman of the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC noted that Bell's victory over Bush highlighted a national trend where supporting Israel aligns with both wise policy and smart politics, echoing sentiments that could influence upcoming races.
Conversely, George Bell highlighted the national security implications of supporting democracies and opposing what he termed "terror states," referring to Hamas in his remarks to the Washington Post.
The primary races against members of the Squad reflect a significant shift in the Democratic landscape, influenced heavily by external funding and international policy stances.
With Omar currently leading in her own primary according to recent polls, the outcome will serve as a barometer for the future of progressive politics in Congress.
