Omar Wins Reelection to Minnesota's 5th District

Ilhaan Omar is projected to keep her U.S. House seat, with vote counting still ongoing.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a domed state-capitol-style silhouette above a horizon line with a band of blue water, in navy and cream with a red accent. — Ilhaan Omar was projected Tuesday to win reelection to Minnesota's 5th congressional district, which includes Minneapolis, as votes continue to be counted. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ilhaan Omar is projected to win reelection to the U.S. House seat for Minnesota's 5th district, which includes Minneapolis and surrounding areas. The Decision Desk HQ gave her more than a 99 percent chance of retaining the seat on election day, based on early returns.

Why it matters

Minnesota voters returned Omar to Congress as Democrats are projected to hold more than 240 House seats and 53 to 55 Senate seats. Her result continues a pattern of strong primary and general election support in the district.

Omar won 80.7 percent in the August Democratic primary and 74.4 percent in the 2024 general election, while Decision Desk HQ gave her over 99 percent odds of holding the seat. Vote counting continues, and Minnesota officials have yet to certify the result.

The players

Ilhaan Omar

A Democratic member of the U.S. House representing Minnesota's 5th district, who was the first Somali-American elected to Congress in 2018.

John Nagel

A Republican candidate and former 30-year Minnesota state highway patrol officer who opposed Omar in the 2026 election.

Decision Desk HQ

A election forecasting and results organization that gave Omar more than a 99 percent chance of retaining her seat on election day.

The details

Omar's Republican opponent is John Nagel, a former 30-year Minnesota state highway patrol officer, and independent DeVelle Jackson is also on the ballot. Omar became the first Somali-American elected to Congress in 2018.

August 2026: Omar wins the Democratic primary with 80.7 percent of the vote.
November 3, 2026: Election day; the general election for the 5th district is held.
January 2027: Omar's fifth congressional term is expected to begin if the projection is confirmed.

Political Context

Omar's strong showing continues a trend of high vote shares in her district, where her 2024 general election result was 74.4 percent. Opposition in the district has consistently been limited, with Nagel and independent DeVelle Jackson challenging her seat.

Residents of the 5th district keep a representative in Congress who has held the seat since 2018. The ongoing Justice Department investigation and the final certified count are the two developments that could still shape the outcome for constituents.

The takeaway

Voters in Minnesota's 5th district have returned Omar to Congress by a wide margin, but the final certified result and the outcome of the Justice Department investigation remain the key open questions.

What happens next

Minnesota election officials will confirm the final certified result after vote counting concludes, and Omar's fifth term is expected to begin in January 2027.