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Ilhan OmarDEMDemocrat United States Representative, MN-5
41
Years of Age
7
Years of Experience
MNResidence (state)

Ilhan Abdullahi Omar (born October 4, 1982) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to Congress, Omar served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019, representing part of Minneapolis. Her congressional district includes all of Minneapolis and some of its first-ring suburbs. Omar serves as deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has advocated for a $15 minimum wage, universal healthcare, student loan debt forgiveness, the protection of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A frequent critic of Israel, Omar supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and has denounced Israel's settlement policies and military campaigns in the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as what she describes as the influence of pro-Israel lobbies in American politics. In February 2023, the Republican-controlled House voted to remove Omar from her seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, citing past comments she had made about Israel and concerns over her objectivity.Omar is the first Somali American in the United States Congress and the first woman of color to represent Minnesota. She is also one of the first two Muslim women (along with Rashida Tlaib) to serve in Congress. She has been the target of several death threats, as well as derogatory comments by political opponents, including Donald Trump, as a result of her background.

Voterly's Issue Scores  (1 - 28 of 28)

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Special Interest Group Ratings

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Rating
Interest Groups That OPPOSE
Rating
Average Score

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Campaign Funding

20
18
$1,073,813
Total Raised
$1,018,983
Total Spent
$54,829
Cash on Hand
Top Industries  (1 - 4 of 10) View All Industries
99%
Retired$73,431
77%
Health Professionals$56,741
58%
Human Rights$43,268
55%
Education$41,017
54%
Real Estate$40,196
52%
Lawyers/Law Firms$38,265
46%
Leadership PACs$34,000
34%
Securities & Investment$25,385
33%
Democratic/Liberal$24,375
33%
Misc Business$24,282
Direct campaign contributions grouped by the industry industry of each donor/PAC.

Largest Contributors

Funding generally from an organization's PAC or its members/employees. Organizations did not donate directly.
Financial Data Source: Center for Responsive Politics
Education5 - 5 of 3
North Dakota State University
bachelor's degree international studies
Edison High School
University of North Dakota
Past Positions1 - 10 of 10
Representative
United States House of Representatives, Minnesota
2019 - Current
Assistant Minority Leader
Minnesota State House of Representatives
2017 - 2019
Representative
Minnesota State House of Representatives
2017 - 2019
Former Member
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, United States House of Representatives
Senior Policy Aide
Office of City of Minneapolis Council Member Andrew Johnson
2013 - 2015
Campaign Manager
Andrew Johnson for Ward 12
2013
Child Nutrition Outreach Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Education
2012 - 2013
Campaign Manager
Kari Dzeidzik for Minnesota State Senate
2012
Community Nutrition Educator
University of Minnesota
2006 - 2009
Policy Fellow
Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University Of Minnesota
Other Experience1 - 14 of 14
Former Board Member
Legal Rights Center
Former Board Member
Young Men Christian Association
Former Board Member
Confederation of Somali Community of MN
Former Board Member
Democratic Farmer Labor State Central Committee
Vice President
Democratic Farmer Labor Feminist Caucus
Current
Member
Budget Committee, United States House of Representatives
2023 - Current
Member
Committee on Education and Labor, United State House of Representatives
2023 - Current
Former Member
Civil Law and Data Practices Committee, Minnesota State House of Representatives
Former Member
Committee on the Budget, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Foreign Affairs), United States House of Representatives
Former Member
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Former Member
House Education Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
Former Member
State Government Finance Committee, Minnesota State House of Representatives
Former Member
Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee, Minnesota State House of Representatives