WhatsApp Group Raises Big Money to Oust Ilhan Omar
In a bid to unseat Rep. Ilhan Omar, members of a WhatsApp group called “Zionists for Don Samuels Against Ilhan Omar” have coordinated to infuse last-minute cash into Don Samuels’s primary race. The group, which includes a campaign consultant and wealthy pro-Israel donors, discussed strategies for campaign phone banks, raising six-figure sums for a political action committee (PAC), and mobilizing Republican voters to support Samuels.
The Samuels campaign has focused on Omar’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including her calls for a ceasefire and denouncement of the war in Gaza as a genocide. They have also accused her of antisemitism. While national pro-Israel groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have not actively supported Samuels, this WhatsApp group has stepped in to fill the gap.
This year, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become a focal point of outside spending in Democratic primaries. AIPAC, for example, has formed political action committees that have spent over $25 million to defeat incumbent Democrats Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Unlike the campaigns against Bush and Bowman, which focused on issues other than Israel, the Samuels campaign has directly targeted Omar’s stance on Israel.
Although Samuels’s fundraising has lagged behind Omar’s, a boost in donations followed Wesley Bell’s defeat of Bush in an August 6 Democratic primary. The WhatsApp chat showed that nearly $100,000 was raised for the campaign in the 24 hours after Bell’s victory. However, campaign finance laws prohibit coordination between campaigns and outside spending groups, and the Samuels campaign denies any involvement with super PACs.
The WhatsApp group consists of members from various locations, including Minneapolis, New York, and Puerto Rico. Some members have supported former President Donald Trump and other Republicans, while others are disillusioned Democratic donors who have expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s stance on Israel.
One participant in the group, Michael Sinensky, has worked with Make a Difference MN to raise over $120,000 for Samuels since July 31. Make a Difference MN is a super PAC that was used by AIPAC in 2022 to route $350,000 into Samuels’s race. Sinensky justified his support for the far right, stating that they are better than Islamic terrorists in fighting against socialism, Marxism, and radical Islam.
The WhatsApp group also discussed strategies to boost Samuels’s campaign, including targeting registered Republicans to vote against Omar. They considered obtaining contact details of registered Republicans in the district and using marketing tactics like voicemail drops. The group also reached out to conservative friends who support Israel to garner their support.
Despite the efforts of the WhatsApp group, the Samuels campaign manager does not believe that winning the primary with Republican voters in an 80% Democratic district would be successful. However, the group remains determined, with one member stating, “We are making History!!! Being a part of getting rid of the squad!”
In conclusion, the WhatsApp group “Zionists for Don Samuels Against Ilhan Omar” has played a significant role in raising funds and coordinating efforts to unseat Rep. Ilhan Omar. The group’s focus on Israel and allegations of antisemitism against Omar have attracted support from wealthy pro-Israel donors and disillusioned Democratic donors. While the Samuels campaign denies coordination with outside spending groups, the WhatsApp group’s efforts have provided a boost to Samuels’s fundraising and campaign strategies.
