FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 03, 2020
Contact: Kenny Palmer | press@indivisible.org
Washington, DC — Today, Indivisible announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar in the race for Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District :
“We are ecstatic to endorse Rep. Omar for re-election. In just two years, Rep. Omar has shown us what an unapologetic progressive voice can accomplish,” said Lucy Solomon, IE Political Director for Indivisible. “Rep. Omar’s policies put the needs of people before special interests, and her record shows that she will not turn back from any fight. We are excited to see what she will accomplish over the next two years once she is re-elected to Congress.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar is a refugee, a mother, and the first-ever Black, Muslim woman to serve in the House. She emigrated from Somalia with her family when she was 8 years old, and after spending four years in a refugee camp, they arrived in Minneapolis. Her fierce advocacy against Trump’s xenophobic and racist policies is rooted in her life experiences.
“Rep. Omar is a progressive voice for those who are marginalized in our society and is more than worthy of our group’s endorsement. In Congress, she has courageously fought for an economy that works for everyone, expanding healthcare, and securing housing for all who want it. These policies and others are integral to Group E Minnesota’s political philosophy and Rep. Omar has been unwavering in her support for Minnesota’s most vulnerable,” said Todd Sicar, Leader of Group E Minnesota.
In her short time in office, Rep. Omar has established herself as a key member of an emerging progressive voting bloc, often introducing or co-sponsoring ambitious progressive policies. She was an original co-sponsor of the House Green New Deal resolution, advocating for major reform on climate change. She introduced the Homes for All Act, which would finally make secure housing in this country a human right. And during the pandemic she has been a strong voice for the most vulnerable, calling for mortgage, rent, and student debt cancellations.
“We need Rep. Omar's voice in Congress. From fighting a culture of endless wars, to building the housing and economic programs of the future, Rep. Omar speaks from her heart and her own experience. She’s emerged as a fearless leader, and she’s done it in spite of hate, threats and vitriol that no other freshman member of Congress has experienced,” said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible. “We're excited to see what her next term brings, and we're excited to endorse her.”
To earn Indivisible’s national endorsement, a candidate must clear a tough three-stage process that requires broad support from local Indivisible group members at multiple points. All endorsed candidates must have a strong progressive platform aligned with our movement’s values and the enthusiastic support of informed energized voters in their district.
Group E Minnesota is a locally-led progressive grassroots group affiliated with Indivisible and is responsible for nominating Rep. Ilhan Omar for Indivisible Action's national endorsement. The group is led by Todd Sicard. To learn more about their work, future events, and their endorsement process, please contact:
Group E Minnesota
Todd Sicard
todd.sicard@gmail.com
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ABOUT INDIVISIBLE ACTION
Indivisible Action is a Hybrid Political Action Committee fueled by the grassroots movement to win elections and build local, independent progressive power nationwide. Indivisible Action provides Indivisible groups access to voter contact software, along with a suite of canvassing, phonebanking, and texting tools in support of progressive candidates. Indivisible Action also makes endorsements of federal and gubernatorial candidates nominated by their local Indivisible groups, vetted by our political team, and voted on by our supporters in the states and districts the candidate wishes to represent.