Rashida Tlaib wins Democratic primary for Michigan House seat

“Squad” member Rashida Tlaib wins a challenge for her House seat in Michigan’s primary, in a rematch with the woman she narrowly defeated two years ago.

Tlaib, one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, easily secures likely re-election to the 13th District in and around Detroit. Her opponent in yesterday’s primary was Detroit City Council President President Brenda Jones, who lost by 1 percentage point in 2018 when the primary field was larger.

Tlaib, 44, will face an underdog Republican candidate in November.

The showdown in one of the country’s poorest districts had featured Jones criticizing Tlaib’s confrontational style and vowing to focus on bringing home funding. Tlaib once called the president an expletive while vowing to impeach him. He later targeted her with racist tweets.

Tlaib, a Palestinian American, has also drawn attention for her criticism of the Jewish state. She and fellow Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar were barred by Israel from entering the country last year over their support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.

— with AP