In a recent podcast appearance, Rep. Ilhan Omar accused her opponent, Don Samuels, of “misogyny” and promoting “lies and sexism”.
Omar’s accusations are based on comments Samuels allegedly made during an interview on “The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky” on November 21.
Samuels, a former Minneapolis City Council member, had previously challenged Omar in the 2022 Democratic primary.
During the podcast, Samuels discussed accountability in government and made comments that seemingly targeted Omar’s appearance. He expressed frustration with government officials who are not responsive to their constituents and made remarks about their physical attractiveness.
Omar responded to these comments, stating:
“This is beneath the dignity of any adult, let alone someone seeking public office.”
Omar further linked Samuels’ behavior to the rhetoric employed by former President Donald Trump, accusing him of relying on “lies and sexism” rather than engaging in a substantive debate. She stressed the need for civility in political discourse.
Samuels defended his statements, stating that his comments were a broader critique of politicians who prioritize their celebrity status over the needs of constituents.
He also urged people to listen to the full interview for context.
In response to Samuels’ criticism of her lack of town hall events, Omar’s team stated that she has hosted one every quarter in 2023, and she received an award in 2020 for hosting such events in the preceding year.
Samuels, who lost the 2022 primary by about 2,500 votes, announced earlier this month that he would challenge Omar again in the upcoming election.
Other candidates in the race for the 5th Congressional District seat include Dalia Al Quida, a GOP journalist, and, for the DFL, attorney Sarah Gad and Air Force veteran Tim Peterson.
“The Break Down” podcast, where the controversial comments were made, is described as providing a unique insight into politics, policies, and news of the day with a blend of humor, personal stories, and blunt political analysis.
The hosts, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr, have backgrounds in Republican politics.
