Trump Endorses Republican Challenger to Ilhan Omar: '‘You Truly Deserve It’
President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed Lacy Johnson, a GOP congressional candidate running to unseat Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.
“And I’m Endorsing you also Lacy, you truly deserve it. You are doing a great job, and Omar is a disaster who wants much higher taxes, hates our Military & our Vets, demands Open Borders, and is fighting to take away our great 2nd Amendment,” Trump tweeted on Monday.
“Good luck Lacy!” the president added.
The tweet was in response to an ad put out by the congressional candidate.
“I’m running against Ilhan Omar. I’m humbled the GOP endorsed me by receiving 90% of the vote,” Johnson said in a tweet Saturday as he shared the video.
“I will win the primary and look forward to defeating Ilhan in Nov. 2020.”
I’m running against Ilhan Omar.
I’m humbled the GOP endorsed me by receiving 90% of the vote
I will win the primary and look forward to defeating Ilhan in Nov. 2020.
Please retweet, follow me, and if able, please contribute to my campaign at link below. https://t.co/yQgy7q1saD pic.twitter.com/PlKWrbw0Ug
— Lacy Johnson (@LacyJohnsonMN) May 2, 2020
Johnson is one of several Republicans in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District vying to take on Omar, a first-term lawmaker who has rocketed to the national scene for her membership in “the squad” of far-left lawmakers, her sharp criticisms of Trump, and ongoing accusations that she married her brother to circumvent immigration laws.
A successful African-American businessman who has lived in North Minneapolis for more than four decades, Johnson believes he can unseat Omar despite the district’s deep blue lean.
The lifelong Minnesota resident is relying on his deep ties to the district, fiscal conservatism and a push to close the achievement gap for students of color, according to the Star Tribune.
“We all know if you put an ‘R’ in front of anyone’s name in this district, it’s tough,” Johnson said about the uphill climb for this election. “I could be running against Popeye and if Popeye had a ‘D’ behind his name, I’m in trouble.”
As a Black Republican running for Congress, I face repeated attacks from the left.
They won’t stop until they silence my voice.
Unfortunately for them, I never back down.
When I am in Congress, I will also never back down from defending the values of the people of #MN05!
— Lacy Johnson (@LacyJohnsonMN) April 30, 2020
But first he must emerge victorious in the election’s crowded GOP primary, which includes former White House correspondent Dalia Al-Aqidi.
Trump’s endorsement of Johnson will likely give him strong momentum as he heads into the congressional primary elections, set to take place on Aug. 11.
The winner will then take on Omar in the general election on Nov. 3.
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