Challenge To Minnesota Rep. Omar Tops 5 Races To Watch Tuesday

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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is hoping to retain her seat representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.





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Minnesota Democratic congressional candidate Antone Melton-Meaux speaks on Aug. 5 in Minneapolis.





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2. Georgia’s 9th Congressional District — Republican: GOP Rep. Doug Collins is running for U.S. Senate, and as in the 14th district next door, there is a contentious two-candidate runoff for the open seat. Both districts are solidly Republican.

State Rep. Matt Gurtler won the most primary votes in June, but has been widely rejected by what he calls the state party «establishment. He has angered colleagues in the General Assembly over the years by voting no on any bill that expands state government. He’s dubbed himself «the most hated man in Georgia by the Republican establishment because I don’t go along with what they want me to go along with.

Gurtler sees himself as someone who will take on congressional Democrats and «RINO Republicans, with RINO meaning «Republican In Name Only.

His opponent, Andrew Clyde, is the chosen candidate of many Georgia officials. The Navy veteran with no elected experience owns a gun store in Athens, Ga.

University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock said the state’s more conventional GOP officeholders realize that if Gurtler is elected, «they’re not going to see much in the way of federal money coming into their local communities. … I think maybe Gurtler might well say he doesn’t want federal funds.

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3. Georgia’s 14th Congressional District — Republican: This primary runoff to replace retiring Republican Rep. Tom Graves features a similar dynamic to the 9th: The state’s incumbent officials hope to keep one candidate out of office.

In this district, it’s Marjorie Taylor Greene. The construction executive won 40% of the votes in the June primary and has caught national headlines since.



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GOP Candidates Open To QAnon Conspiracy Theory Advance In Congressional Races

She has repeated the QAnon conspiracy theory, but it was offensive video statements about Muslims, African Americans and Jewish Democratic donor George Soros, unearthed by Politico, that quickly isolated her from members of the Republican caucus. The top three House GOP leaders denounced Greene’s comments, and conserative Georgia Rep. Jody Hice rescinded his endorsement after the videos surfaced.

Many of the state’s elected officials have instead thrown their support behind her opponent, neurosurgeon and political newcomer John Cowan, whose slogan says «all of the conservative, none of the embarrassment.

According to Eric Sands, political science professor at Berry College, the candidates represent «two different kinds of Republicans in the 14th. And mainstream Republicans, he said, are «terrified of what [Greene] might end up saying if she became a member of the House of Representatives that would then end up reflecting badly on the party.

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4. Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District — Republican: This is another open seat, left vacant by the retiring Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner.

Sensenbrenner has represented Milwaukee’s suburbs since 1979, and as the New York Times reported when he announced his retirement, «few departing lawmakers have been as central to the party’s identity in the House as long as Mr. Sensenbrenner.

Two Republicans are vying to take his place. Sensenbrenner has endorsed Scott Fitzgerald, an Army Reserve veteran and 25-year member of the state Senate and current majority leader. Fitzgerald’s opponent is Clifford DeTemple, a longtime military reservist and small business owner.

Fitzgerald has easily outraised and outspent DeTemple this campaign. The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Tom Palzewicz in November. The district is considered solidly Republican by handicappers.

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5. Connecticut presidential primaries: Don’t forget about Connecticut!

Though there’s no drama about the outcome, the last presidential primaries, just days ahead of the parties’ respective nominating conventions, will be held in Connecticut, which postponed its April contests because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mark Zdechlik is a reporter for MPR, while Emma Hurt is a reporter for WABE. NPR deputy political editor Benjamin Swasey contributed to this report.