Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) announced on Thursday that she would be seeking reelection in the House in Minnesota, ending speculation over whether she would mount a Senate run for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s (D-Minn.) seat.
“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,” she said in a statement.
“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,” she continued.
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 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.
Among some of the notable names cropping up on the GOP side who have announced include former Senate candidate Royce White, who lost to Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in November, and retired Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze.
The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Smith’s seat “lean Democrat.”