On Wednesday, the Minnesota Star-Tribune has endorsed Antone Melton-Meaux, a primary challenger of “Squad” House member Ilhan Omar, for the 5th district.
The paper, which is the largest in the state, suggested that Omar has failed to “unite” her district, according to the Daily Wire.
The Star-Tribune’s editorial states that “Melton-Meaux brings a different sensibility to this race, one grounded in helping resolve disputes to move forward — a skill this country is much in need of. Whether it’s health care, criminal justice or affordable housing, Melton-Meaux appears progressive, but pragmatic. While Omar wants to lead a movement, Melton-Meaux seeks to serve the Fifth District.”
The paper also contrasted Omar’s radicalism vs. Melton-Meaux’s more “pragmatic” approaches, such as Omar’s pushing to defund and abolish police and embracing a full government takeover of healthcare. It also strongly criticized Omar’s blatant anti-Semitism and corruption.
The editorial continued:
“Omar’s 2018 victory launched her into the national spotlight as the first Muslim woman and first refugee elected to Congress. But her time has been marred by missteps, including remarks on Israel widely regarded as anti-Semitic, an outsized number of missed votes, and campaign-finance issues. Omar has sent more than $1.6 million to her husband’s D.C. political consulting firm, E Street Group, and is herself the target of a Federal Election Commission complaint regarding travel expenses.
“It is just these kinds of ethical distractions that the Fifth District could do without. In the Editorial Board interview, Omar took little responsibility for her rocky start, instead largely blaming her critics and saying her failing was perhaps in not realizing what a ‘special unicorn’ she would be in Congress.
“Both Omar and Melton-Meaux have compelling stories that, in their own ways, are quintessentially American. Omar’s refugee story is well-known. Melton-Meaux is the descendant of American emancipated slaves. His mother grew up picking cotton, and his father used service in Vietnam and the GI bill to put himself through college and lift his family into the middle class. Melton-Meaux rose to become an attorney and mediator who also has worked on foster children’s cases through the Children’s Law Center and dedicated time at the Conflict Resolution Center and College Possible.
“Melton-Meaux fully grasps the needs of the diverse constituency he hopes to represent, and, if given a chance, is the kind of leader who could unite a fractured district.”
This endorsement is heartening, because even though Melton-Meaux is still on the Left, we could use less anti-Semitism and corruption in D.C.
