One more to challenge Omar - Leila Shukri Adan [View all]

As an immigrant, Muslim, Somali and woman of color, I have been asked by many why I am running for Congress against Rep. Ilhan Omar. Rep. Omar’s election in 2018 was iconic. She broke barriers. We celebrated because we thought it was the beginning of a new era.

It was not.

The recent commentary “Critiques ignore Omar’s accomplishments” (April 23) points out that Omar is fighting for issues that we should all be fighting for. However, the concern is not that what she is fighting for is inconsistent with what most of us believe in. The problem is that we need someone focused on local issues and pragmatic policies, not divisive grandstanding.

We need someone who spends more time listening to her constituents than expanding her celebrity, and someone creating positive change for our people, not raising millions to spend on Washington consultants.

We need a representative focused on issues of the Fifth District. I respect those who work on international causes — this is incredibly important work. But someone who is elected to represent a district in Minnesota should not be focused internationally at the expense of the issues that directly affect our constituents. Our district deserves a public servant who works for us.

More..

https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-minnesota-s-fifth-district-deserves-more/569934462/

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Will there be a nominating convention? Will the virus finally bring an end to this undemocratic custom when party activists, not the voters, decide who the candidate should be?