Counterpoint from Don Samuels (Ilhan Omar's opponent): Why I'm in the race to stay

[iemanja]

Local activist Roxxanne O'Brien recently demonstrated on the commentary pages of this newspaper the type of attacks we expect throughout this campaign ("Don Samuels should call off his campaign," March 22). Her article was laced with inaccuracies, mischaracterizations, half-truths and at least one big fat lie.

A well-known supporter of Omar, O'Brien went so far as to weaponize the accidental drowning of a child. His death was the most devastating day of our lives, but more importantly, of the lives of his family. For political gain, the tragedy was crudely wielded to disqualify Don's decades of service in our city's most challenging neighborhoods.

It's disappointing to see Omar's surrogates engaged in this negative and hurtful approach to politics, while Don is committed to running a campaign focused on the issues of the Fifth Congressional District. His is a collaborative and mutual approach to leadership. It is the type of leadership we have sought to exemplify through the course of our lives together. It is also the type of leadership Americans of all political stripes deserve. . . .

Don has always maintained a focus on the politics that affect our neighborhood. But as a lifelong Democrat, he also recognized that our voices were necessary in struggles that extend well beyond our community. This includes our unwavering insistence on a woman's right to choose, despite O'Brien's labeling Don "anti-choice." Throughout Don's political career he has always been supportive of abortion rights and has rallied on behalf of LGBTQ equality.

https://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-from-don-samuels-why-im-in-the-race-to-stay/600159882/?fbclid=IwAR3X4Qbz-GMDuQ5xSuZ-mMJgqgyVuJe2DZCi-xkgfsff_yMzQSmbIN6J7_4