(PatriotWise.com) — Last week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrat leaders officially endorsed Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in her 2024 reelection bid, despite her history of anti-Semitism, Fox News reported.
In a statement obtained by Politico, Minority Leader Jeffries said he “vigorously” endorses Omar’s reelection. Jeffries lauded Omar for “consistently” standing up for her constituents and vowed to “stand with her” in battling “Extreme MAGA Republicans” in the House.
Omar, who was first elected in the 2018 Blue Wave Midterms, faced a tough primary election in 2022 from a more centrist Democrat. This year, Omar and other anti-Israel members of the Squad could potentially face challengers backed by the progressive pro-Israel group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), according to Politico.
Omar’s campaign recently accused AIPAC of “working around the clock” to try and unseat her and other progressive, anti-Israel incumbents in 2024 by backing a moderate primary challenger.
In a statement to Politico, AIPAC spokesman Marshall Wittmann said while the group supports Democrats in the House, it will continue to back candidates who “advance the US-Israel relationship” while opposing “anti-Israel candidates.”
In addition to the minority leader’s endorsement, Omar was also endorsed by Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar. All three former Democratic House leaders, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and James Clyburn also endorsed Omar.
Omar said in a statement last week that she was proud to earn the “respect and support” of the Democratic leadership in her reelection.
A spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee confirmed to Politico that it planned to back all Democratic incumbents in 2024.
Both parties on Capitol Hill typically throw their support behind incumbents.
Minority Leader Jeffries has been consistent in his support for incumbent lawmakers. During the 2022 Midterms, Jeffries co-founded Team Blue, a PAC supporting Democratic incumbents facing challengers in the primaries.
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