Rep. Ilhan Omar far outpaces Minnesota Congressional colleagues in fundraising
Despite being the target of criticism in Congress and violent threats by her detractors, the freshman lawmaker from Minnesota is raising more money than many of her colleagues
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, is raising funds for her reelection to a degree that outpaces many members of her delegation, the Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting.
According to a campaign finance report filed Monday by Omar’s staff with the Federal Election Commission, Omar raised more than $830,000 in the first three months of this year — far more than those of her colleagues representing Minnesota — the Star Tribune reports. Such reports must be filed every quarter with the FEC by Congressional campaigns.
The funds might mark a statement from the supporters of the outspoken congresswoman, who has taken heat for comments about Israel and U.S. Jews, as well as her description of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Even Democratic leaders have joined others in criticizing Omar, who has apologized for her comments. Supporters say Omar, part of a freshman class in Congress hailed for an influx of outspoken women, has been unfairly targeted because she is a refugee from Somalia and is Muslim.
On Sunday, Omar took President Trump to task for posting video to Twitter on Friday that splices together images of the congresswoman addressing a Muslim civil rights organization with video of the World Trade Center burning. The congresswoman said she has seen a dramatic increase in threats against her since Trump posted the video, Roll Call reported.
The fundraising figure put Omar out in front of the majority of her Minnesota Congressional colleagues, many of whom are expected to face tough challenges next year in swing districts, according to the Star Tribune.
The only federal lawmaker from Minnesota who raised more was Sen. Tina Smith, who raised more than $1 million in the first quarter of the year, according to FEC data.
Smith won an election last year to fill out the remaining term of U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Miss., who stepped down in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct.
