A former Minnesota Democratic lawmaker is challenging his own party to take a closer look at the growing controversy surrounding Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), warning that Democrats could face serious political and reputational consequences if they continue dismissing allegations involving her personal history and finances.
Joe Radinovich, a former Minnesota state representative who also worked as an aide to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, has publicly questioned the defense of Omar by fellow Democrats. His comments are particularly notable because they come from someone with ties to the state’s Democratic political establishment.
According to reporting cited by the New York Post, Radinovich believes the allegations surrounding Omar’s 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi deserve considerably more scrutiny than they have received from Democratic leaders.
The long-running controversy centers on claims that Omar married Elmi, who has been alleged to be her brother, as part of a scheme to facilitate immigration benefits. Omar has repeatedly denied the allegation, characterizing it as a politically motivated attack rooted in racism and Islamophobia.
