Who's running in Minnesota's 5th congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Ilhan Omar currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Medicare for All and universal school meals.
Abolishing ICE and being 'a check on this callous administration'.
An end to 'forever wars' and to billionaires buying elections.
Affordable rent, reproductive freedom and action on climate.
Commonsense gun reforms.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Minnesota's 5th District since January 2019.
Won the August 11, 2026 DFL primary with 80.7%; endorsed by Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, the Minnesota DFL and Minnesota AFL-CIO.
A former campaign staffer, Guhaad Hashi Said, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering over a food-programme site, according to Fox News.
Was sprayed with apple cider vinegar by a man at a Minneapolis town hall in January 2026.
Arguments in favor
Voters 'want to vote for something' — Medicare for All, affordable rent, an end to corporate greed — and when ICE targeted the district's communities, she and Minnesotans 'stepped up and organized to protect one another'.
— Ilhan Omar, primary-night statement
She has 'consistently stood up for' her constituents, and her reelection has the backing of Minnesota's senators, governor and attorney general.
— Endorsements from Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, as listed by Wikipedia
Arguments against
'The people of Minnesota have been lied to. They've had their money stolen.' Her district has been the 'epicenter' of the state's fraud scandals and she has done nothing meaningful to stop them.
— John Nagel, Republican opponent, to Fox News Digital
Omar has ties to people implicated in Minnesota's fraud scandals, including a former campaign staffer who pleaded guilty over a food site that billed for far more meals than it served.
— Fox News Digital reporting
What we couldn’t verify
Fox News reported that Omar revised a financial disclosure, but the details were not in the articles read.
No evidence was found in the sources read that Omar was personally involved in any fraud scheme.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Eliminating fraud and waste and restoring accountability in Washington.
Cutting taxes and federal spending to fight inflation.
Funding and supporting police and keeping violent criminals off the streets.
Securing the southern border.
Reversing what he calls Democrats' trend toward socialist policies.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Minnesota State Trooper for 30 years; received the State Patrol's Meritorious Service Award.
Former safety consultant to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and instructor at the State Patrol Training Academy.
Previously ran for Minnesota House District 46A and lost to DFL Rep. Larry Kraft.
Won the August 11, 2026 Republican primary with about 52%, defeating Dalia Al-Aqidi, who had been considered the frontrunner.
Won the August 11 Republican primary with about 52%, more than double Dalia Al-Aqidi's share.
Ran unsuccessfully for Minnesota House District 46A in 2024, losing to Rep. Larry Kraft.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Nagel by an opponent, party or established outlet could be found, so no arguments are listed for him (his campaign's case is in his positions). Searched: 'Omar campaign responds John Nagel', 'Dalia Al-Aqidi John Nagel primary criticism', Minnesota DFL statements, and Sun Current, Northeaster, Fox News and Arab News coverage. A personal blog post critical of him was found but is not an attributable outlet and was not used.
Independence from party establishments and building coalitions issue by issue.
Enforceable limits on government and corporate data collection, facial recognition and surveillance.
Pairing affordability relief with investment that expands housing, domestic production and small-business space.
Affordable health care and housing, labour rights, Social Security and Medicare, and voting and civil rights.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Qualified for the November 3, 2026 ballot as an independent.
Has not held elected office.
Reported no organisational or individual endorsements in his Ballotpedia survey.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No news coverage of Jackson's campaign beyond candidate listings was found, and no published argument for or against his candidacy by any named party, group or outlet.
His fundraising and campaign activity could not be established.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Minnesota held its primaries on August 11, 2026; November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality with no runoff. The district uses the map adopted in 2022; no redistricting or map litigation affecting 2026 was found. Three candidates are on the ballot: DFL incumbent Ilhan Omar, who won her primary with 80.7% over Julie Le, Latonya Reeves, Nate Schluter and Abena McKenzie; Republican John Nagel, who won a four-way primary with about 52% over Dalia Al-Aqidi, Angie Windhauser and Abbey Zieska; and independent DeVelle Jackson. Roster from Wikipedia, Ballotpedia, MPR News, ECM Publishers (hometownsource.com) and Fox News primary coverage. The district covers Minneapolis and nearby suburbs including Richfield, Edina, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights and Fridley. It is the most Democratic district in Minnesota; Omar won her last general election by 50 points.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Minnesota ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Minnesota Secretary of State.