Counterpoint from Don Samuels (Ilhan Omar's opponent): Why I'm in the race to stay

[iemanja]

Local activist Roxxanne O'Brien recently demonstrated on the commentary pages of this newspaper the type of attacks we expect throughout this campaign ("Don Samuels should call off his campaign," March 22). Her article was laced with inaccuracies, mischaracterizations, half-truths and at least one big fat lie.

A well-known supporter of Omar, O'Brien went so far as to weaponize the accidental drowning of a child. His death was the most devastating day of our lives, but more importantly, of the lives of his family. For political gain, the tragedy was crudely wielded to disqualify Don's decades of service in our city's most challenging neighborhoods.

It's disappointing to see Omar's surrogates engaged in this negative and hurtful approach to politics, while Don is committed to running a campaign focused on the issues of the Fifth Congressional District. His is a collaborative and mutual approach to leadership. It is the type of leadership we have sought to exemplify through the course of our lives together. It is also the type of leadership Americans of all political stripes deserve. . . .

Don has always maintained a focus on the politics that affect our neighborhood. But as a lifelong Democrat, he also recognized that our voices were necessary in struggles that extend well beyond our community. This includes our unwavering insistence on a woman's right to choose, despite O'Brien's labeling Don "anti-choice." Throughout Don's political career he has always been supportive of abortion rights and has rallied on behalf of LGBTQ equality.

https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-from-don-samuels-why-im-in-the-race-to-stay/600159882/?fbclid=IwAR3X4Qbz-GMDuQ5xSuZ-mMJgqgyVuJe2DZCi-xkgfsff_yMzQSmbIN6J7_4

[Ocelot II]

1. That commentary from last week was pretty nasty.

Made me even more interested in supporting Samuels.

[ymetca]

2. Geesh

Well that was an ugly incident:

https://sahanjournal.com/policing-justice/sondra-samuels-isaac-childress-drowning-northside-achievement-zone/

Might be a low-blow to bring it up, but still... "wrongful death" and a big settlement. Yikes.

Also gets to the heart of just what, exactly, the DNC is doing. Why primary her? Isn't her seat safe?

Questions thou shalt not ask?

[iemanja]

3. Why primary her?

Because many Minnesota-05 residents want someone else. The "DNC" isn't primarying Omar. Samuels is. He doesn't need the approval of the DNC to run for office. Many people are lined up to volunteer for and vote for Samuels.

And this is Minnesota. Our party and state organization is the DFL, Democratic Farmer Labor.

[ymetca]

4. Okay thanks!

Would like to know the whole story, especially for us watching from afar. Otherwise we fill in the gaps with nonsense, as you know!

[iemanja]

8. For me, the story amounts to two things

1) Her voting record. I myself prefer a rep who votes for Democratic legislation rather than with Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and Thomas Massie, among the other dregs of the GOP.
https://news.yahoo.com/8-house-republicans-voted-against-205346735.html
https://kduz.com/2022/03/11/omar-votes-against-cutting-off-oil-imports-from-russia/

I know others who feel the same way.

2) Democracy. Residents of congressional districts have a right to choose their elected officials, and that means they may face primary challengers. Why you consider that nefarious escapes me.

The primary will be later this summer. If Omar wins the majority in that primary, she will be reelected. If Samuels wins the majority, he will be the new congressperson.

[Ocelot II]

5. She needs primarying is why.

She's my rep and I've been really disappointed in her. She claims to do a lot for the district but she takes credit for things she didn't vote for, and spends too much time grandstanding with the rest of the "Squad" and shooting herself in the foot politically, including with clumsy remarks that some of her Jewish constituents regarded as anti-Semitic. I've voted for her twice but not again.

[ymetca]

6. Okay, making sense to me now

We never get the whole story out here, so it helps to see some better perspective.

Especially since I live somewhere where it literally does not matter which Democrat I vote for because they never win. Sigh..

Thanks!

[Ocelot II]

7. The drowning was a tragic accident, not a reflection on

the fitness of Samuels for public office, and it was a really cheap shot to try to use it for that. The insurance company settled the case on behalf of the Samuels, and insurance companies normally call the shots in these cases. The seat is a safe Dem seat regardless who the candidate is; a GOPer hasn't a chance in Hell in CD5, especially as crazy as they are now.