As the congressional primaries continue to take place across the country, many eyes are set on the fate of the "Squad," the group of high-profile progressive Democratic lawmakers who have faced several challenges to their seats.
Two of them have already failed to secure a shot at renewing their seats in the general elections, with Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush beaten by primary contenders who outspent them during the race. And a third one, Ilhan Omar, is set to see whether she still has the support of her constituency on Tuesday.
However, unlike it happened with Bush and Bowman, Omar has been able to outspend her main challenger, City Council member Don Samuels, who almost beat her in 2022. According to the latest campaign finance reports cited by NBC News, she has spent over $6.1 million compared to Samuels' $1.2 million.
Polls are reflecting the gap, with the latest survey showing her with a comfortable two-digit lead. Conducted by Lake Research Partners, it shows Omar with 60% of the support, while Samuels has 33%. In fact, Omar's advantage has widened over the campaign, considering that a study by Victoria Research & Consulting in late February had Omar with 49% of the support by 519 likely voters, compared to Samuels' 30%.
Should the votes reflect the polls' trend, it would be a change of scene for the "Squad." Last week, Missouri Rep. Cori Bush lost her race against prosecutor Wesley Bell, while New York's George Latimer beat Jamaal Bowman.
Both were funded by pro-Israel groups, which focused its efforts in their ousting given their strident criticism of Israel's handling of the war in Gaza. Bush had rallied against funding for Israel in its war against Hamas following the October 7 attack that left some 1,200 dead and 250 taken hostage into Gaza. She has accused Israel of conducting an "ethnic cleansing campaign" in its retaliation.
In Bell's case, United Democracy Project, a super PAC tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent almost $9 million to support him. Overall, more than $18 million were spent in the race, making it the second-most expensive in the country.
Speaking after the results came in, she pinned her defeat on the pro-Israel group and claimed it "radicalized" her. "Now they need to be afraid. They are about to see this other Cori, this other side. Let me say this, I just grew up more over the past week. There is nothing that happens in my life that happens in vain. It was meant to happen. AIPAC, I'm coming to take your kingdom down," she claimed.
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