Americans dodged a bullet with the next Senate election, as it was revealed this week that a radical, progressive lawmaker is not making a run for the upper chamber as earlier speculated.
According to The Hill, Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar announced that she will not seek a Senate seat and, instead, will run for reelection to her House seat.
Omar was seen as a possible frontrunner to fill the seat that will be left open by Sen. Tina Smith, who is set to retire from office after this cycle.
A prominent member of the progressive "squad" in the House, Omar formally announced that she would seek reelection to her seat representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
Omar, known for her dramatics, released a statement announcing her reelection bid and as a result, confirming that she's not interested in a Senate seat at this time.
"At a time when our rights are under attack, it is more important than ever to fight back against the chaos, corruption, and callousness of the Trump Administration," Omar's statement read.
It added, "I am excited to announce I am running for reelection for Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District to keep standing up for our rights in the face of authoritarianism."
Rep. Ilhan Omar passes on Senate run in Minnesota, seeking reelection https://t.co/FyxnmK1LLX
— The Hill (@thehill) April 11, 2025
The Hill noted:
Omar, part of the progressive “squad” in the House who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, had been mulling a potential Senate bid. Other notable members of the party who have announced bids include Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and former state Sen. Melisa López Franzen.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has already passed on a Senate bid, but Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) could also jump into the race.
Some of the potential Republicans running for the future Senate vacancy "include former Senate candidate Royce White, who lost to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in November, and retired Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze," according to the outlet.
Users across social media weighed in on Omar's announcement.
"She knows she'd lose a senate race," one X user speculated.
Another X user wrote, "She wouldn't have a snowball's chance in a state-wide election."
It'll be interesting to see who, on the Democrat's side of the aisle, will drop their name in the hat.
