Rep. Ilhan Omar didn’t vote in Minnesota primary, says uncommitted voters are ‘angry and frustrated’

Nearly 46,000 Democratic primary voters cast a protest vote against President Joe Biden Tuesday.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 7, 2024 at 2:14PM
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., told Politico that she didn't cast a ballot in the state's presidential primary Tuesday. But she remarked on the wave of voters who chose "uncommitted" over President Joe Biden, saying they're, "angry and frustrated and sad."

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar said she didn’t vote Tuesday in Minnesota’s presidential primary but told Politico that she understood why scores of voters marked their ballots uncommitted.

Nearly 46,000 Minnesotans voted that way, many to protest President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, which has seen massive civilian casualties. Progressive activists originally set a goal of getting about 5,000 votes in the uncommitted column.

“People are angry and frustrated and sad. They want the president to change his policies,” Omar told Politico. “They’ve tried marching. They’ve tried writing letters. They’ve tried calling and now they’re using their voice at the ballot box.”

The uncommitted movement originated in Michigan, where more than 100,000 people cast such a ballot — about 13% of the Democratic turnout. In Minnesota, about 19% of DFL primary voters voted uncommitted.

Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips dropped out of the presidential race after receiving 8% of the primary vote in his home state. He endorsed Biden soon after.

about the writer

about the writer

Eder Campuzano

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Eder Campuzano is a general assignment reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune and lead writer of the Essential Minnesota newsletter.

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