MINNESOTA – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a well-known progressive and member of the “Squad,” is running into stronger resistance as she seeks another term in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. The Minneapolis-area seat is safely Democratic, but many voters say they’re unhappy with her focus and results. As a result, the Democratic primary on August 11, 2026, is shaping up to be a real fight.
Omar has represented the district since 2019. She has outlasted past primary threats, yet this time she faces louder criticism from constituents, more pushback within the party, and fresh attention on her family’s finances.
A Primary Opponent Builds Momentum
Latonya Reeves has become the main challenger. Reeves is a labor leader, a DFL activist, and a Democratic National Committee member from Minneapolis. She launched her campaign in late 2025 and has pitched herself as a new option centered on district needs, including labor rights, economic fairness, and a more practical style of governing.
- Reeves has pointed to complaints that Omar spends too much time on national battles and not enough on local problems.
- At the same time, other possible candidates have surfaced, including Julie T. Le, a former federal prosecutor who has criticized immigration enforcement.
- Even though earlier chatter suggested strong contenders might stay out, filings tracked by Ballotpedia show Reeves as the key name challenging Omar so far.
Because the district leans heavily Democratic (Cook PVI: D+32), the primary will almost certainly decide who holds the seat. Omar has shown some weakness before. In 2022, for example, she won a close race against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. She later won more comfortably, but that near miss still stands out.
Much of the voter frustration comes back to a few hot-button issues:
- Public safety worries in Minneapolis after years of tense debate over policing changes.
- Anger from some residents over Omar’s high-profile foreign policy positions, especially her criticism of U.S. support for Israel, which they say pulls attention from home.
- Concern among moderates that her brand of progressive politics pushes away voters needed for a stronger influence in Congress.
James Carville Tells Omar to Leave the Democratic Party
Meanwhile, Democratic strategist James Carville has added to the drama by urging Omar to exit the party. In recent interviews and podcast appearances, Carville argued that Omar’s style and messaging hurt Democrats with key voting groups. He called her approach “mathematically insane” for winning elections.
“Lady, why don’t you just get out of the Democratic Party? Honestly, start your own movement,” Carville said, suggesting she align openly with groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America instead of staying under the Democratic banner.
Carville’s comments echo a wider worry among some Democrats. They fear that well-known progressive figures can turn off moderate and working-class voters, including white men who make up a large share of the electorate. He also warned that chasing ideological purity can cost the party seats it should be able to win.
Omar hasn’t answered Carville’s newest remarks directly. Still, she has long defended her positions as part of a push for justice and equal treatment.
Federal and Congressional Interest in a Surge in Reported Wealth
In addition to the political pressure, Omar and her husband, Tim Mynett, face questions from federal authorities and congressional investigators over a sharp jump in reported family wealth.
Omar’s financial disclosures show assets tied to Mynett, including stakes in a California winery (eStCru LLC) and an investment firm (Rose Lake Capital LLC). Those holdings climbed from modest valuations in 2023 to figures that could reach as high as $30 million in 2024.
Several threads are now in play:
- House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) opened a probe in early 2026, seeking records from Mynett and raising concerns about the rapid growth, including possible influence peddling or undisclosed sources of income.
- Reports also say the Department of Justice is reviewing the matter. President Trump has publicly claimed both Congress and federal agencies are involved.
- A conservative watchdog group has asked for an ethics review, arguing Omar’s disclosures could mislead.
- Omar’s office has brushed off the scrutiny as partisan attacks, saying she has been transparent and has done nothing wrong.
So far, no charges have been filed, and the inquiries continue. Critics say the timing adds to public unease. Supporters, on the other hand, see it as a political effort by Republicans to weaken a prominent Democrat.
What to Watch in 2026
Even with these challenges, Omar starts with major advantages. She has strong name recognition, loyal supporters on the left, and backing from key allies. Also, the district’s diverse, urban, heavily Democratic makeup has often worked in her favor.
Still, the mix of a serious primary challenger, loud criticism from inside the party, and ongoing money questions could make this her toughest re-election push yet. With the filing deadline set for June 2, 2026, Minnesota’s 5th District is becoming a major test of how much staying power progressive Democrats have inside the party.
