Democratic congressional candidate Antone Melton-Meaux experienced big fundraising numbers in 2020’s second quarter as he tries to unseat Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) at the August 11 primary.
The winner will face Lacy Johnson, the Republican candidate, in November’s general election to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
In 2020’s second quarter, Melton-Meaux took in $3.2 million in donations, according to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). This was almost seven times more than Omar received. Melton-Meaux now has $2 million in cash on hand—almost twice as much as Omar at $1.1 million.
“Our incredible momentum and support is an affirmation that the people are tired of President Trump,” stated Melton-Meaux in a press release.
According to an analysis of the two campaigns published by MinnPost, Omar has consistently outraised her main opponent in small donations under $200 at a ratio of 10-to-1. These donations are mostly from individual voters, who are the only determinants on Election Day. However, according to FEC regulations, there is no requirement to report identifying information. As a result, there is no way of telling whether these voters reside in the 5th District.
In contrast, the bulk of contributions to Melton-Meaux’s campaign have come from donations greater than $200, including “$382,000 in donations bundled by the Pro-Israel America PAC, a nonpartisan political committee that supports both Republican and Democrat pro-Israel candidates. He also raised nearly $106,000 in bundled donations through NORPAC, a political action committee that supports conservative policies in Israel,” the MinnPost article reported.
To counter Melton-Meaux’s outraising her in 2020’s second quarter, Omar released a poll on July 16 showing she still leads by 37 points. As reported in Newsweek, the survey was conducted by Change Research on Omar’s behalf. It showed that 66 percent of likely primary voters back her, while only 29 percent of likely primary voters support Melton-Meaux. The undecided accounted for only 2 percent, and the other three candidates polled in single digits.
Melton-Meaux responded with a statement, released the next day, claiming that two months ago, Change Research earned “a C-rating from Nate Silver and 538.” The statement also pointed to inherent flaws in the poll, including that Change Research failed to reveal its methodology, so “the results likely include many people who are not residents or voters in our district.”
This is Melton-Meaux’s first campaign for public office. He lives in the 5th District in the Uptown-East Isles neighborhood of Minneapolis with his wife, a surgeon and medical professor, and their two children.
The primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 11. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Minnesota permits no-excuse early voting with an absentee ballot at local elections offices. The first day to vote early was June 26, and last day is Monday, August 10.
Voter registration may be done online or via print forms until July 21. Voters may also register in person on Election Day or when they vote early.
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Patrick J. McCloskey is a reporter at The Ohio Star. Send tips to [email protected].
Photo “Antone Melton-Meaux” by Antone Melton-Meaux. Photo “Ilhan Omar” by Ilhan Omar.
