I supported Omar enthusiastically at first, but in the last year or so she's made herself a lightning rod in situations where she didn't need to. Having a strong opinion and speaking out is great and I'm all for it, but she's had some own-goals that she could have avoided if she had some political savvy - like voting "present" on the Armenian genocide resolution. Nobody was happy with that, as far as I can tell. If she's going to be a distraction she can't represent her constituents effectively. If John Mason puts up a convincing campaign in the primary he might win it.

I was enthusiastic for her. Her voting "present" on the Armenian genocide resolution was the breaking point for me.

I have been unhappy for awhile and have called her office and emailed. No response to emails.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mason-for-minnesota-1?fbclid=IwAR2HQEgKMTpNrqVENJ_eNCJXau0MPOGSzHVyHdtWitcBZliDeFwB23mL6Bw

Defending her constantly from her own actions was tiring, but the genocide resolution was the breaking point for me. It shows that her progressiveness ends where her religion begins, and I won't support anyone who prioritizes their religion over humanity, no matter which faith it is.

This is already making the rounds of the Armenian and Assyrian communities, and they're excited about getting another progressive in there. Fingers crossed!

I don't live in the 5th but I do think Omar has become a distraction and, at times, appears to be in over her head. (To be honest, if I lived in the district I would have voted for Patricia Torres Ray in the 2018 primary, just based on experience.)