Ilhan Omar Then and Now

Ilhan Omar Then

Ilhan Omar, born on October 4, 1982, in Mogadishu, Somalia, faced significant challenges early in life that shaped her journey. 

As the youngest of seven children, she experienced tragedy at just two years old when her mother passed away. 

Her father and grandfather took on the responsibility of raising her, providing a foundation of strength and resilience. 

However, the outbreak of the Somalian Civil War in 1991 forced the family to flee their home. 

When Omar was eight, they found refuge in a camp in Kenya, where they remained for four years until the United States granted them asylum in 1995.

Settling first in Arlington, Virginia, and later in Minneapolis in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, Omar began to immerse herself in American culture, learning English by watching television. 

She attended Thomas Edison High School and accompanied her grandfather as his interpreter, helping him engage in local politics. 

These experiences sparked her interest in political involvement, though her path to public office was not straightforward. 

After becoming a U.S. citizen at 17, Omar pursued higher education, but she encountered setbacks. Initially enrolling in an accounting program, she struggled and shifted to business administration, completing her degree in 2005.

Related Article: Steve Scalise Then and Now

Omar’s academic journey continued at North Dakota State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies in 2011. 

Her diverse educational background and dedication to her community, including her work as an instructor for underserved populations, set the stage for her eventual rise to political prominence. 

Despite the obstacles she faced, Omar’s resilience and drive helped her become a U.S. representative, making history as one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

Related Article: Chuck Grassley Then and Now

Ilhan Omar Political Career

Upon her return to Minneapolis in 2012, Ilhan Omar began a significant chapter in her political journey. 

She started as a nutrition specialist for the Minnesota Department of Nutrition, while simultaneously getting involved in political advocacy. 

Her involvement in local politics was marked by her work on the 2012 “Vote No Twice” campaigns, which opposed two controversial measures in Minnesota—one requiring voter ID and another attempting to define marriage strictly between a man and a woman. 

Her efforts were instrumental in defeating these measures, which earned her recognition and respect in local political circles. 

Related Article: Rand Paul Then and Now

Building on that momentum, Omar worked on Andrew Johnson’s successful bid for a Minneapolis City Council seat in 2013 and later became his senior policy aide, further immersing herself in public service.

By 2016, Omar had set her sights on running for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, an ambitious decision that broke new ground for Somali American women in U.S. politics. 

Her campaign was documented in the film Time for Ilhan, which chronicled her historic run. 

Omar successfully unseated a 44-year incumbent in the Democratic primary, becoming the first Somali American woman to serve in the Minnesota legislature. 

Related Article: Amy Klobuchar Then and Now

However, shortly after her win, she faced baseless allegations, including unfounded rumors propagated by conservative media that falsely claimed she had married her brother to facilitate his immigration. 

Credible news sources thoroughly debunked these rumors, but the attacks reflected the broader challenges Omar faced as a trailblazing figure in politics.

In 2018, when U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison decided to run for Minnesota attorney general, Omar seized the opportunity to pursue his vacated seat in Congress. 

Her campaign for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district was successful, and she was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019. 

Related Article: Cory Booker Then and Now

Omar’s victory was part of a larger progressive movement that year, which included other high-profile representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib—collectively known as “The Squad.” 

These progressive lawmakers shared a commitment to reforming various aspects of U.S. policy, including education, healthcare, and immigration.

Omar’s election also brought about a symbolic victory: the repeal of an 181-year-old ban on head coverings in the House of Representatives, allowing her to wear her hijab while serving. 

As a congresswoman, Omar has been a vocal advocate for several key issues. 

Related Article: Mitt Romney Then and Now

She has pushed for policies aimed at increasing investment in education, eliminating student debt, providing a living wage, and expanding healthcare through Medicare for All. 

She has also prioritized immigration reform and combating climate change. 

Omar serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee and plays a leadership role as the vice-ranking member of the House Budget Committee and vice chair of both the Progressive Caucus and Medicare for All Caucus.

Throughout her political career, Omar has been a frequent target of criticism, particularly from former President Donald Trump. 

Related Article: Kirsten Gillibrand Then and Now

He often singled her out with false claims, such as suggesting she sympathized with al-Qaeda or accusing her of being unpatriotic. 

These accusations, which were baseless, led to hostile moments, including chants of “send her back” at Trump rallies. 

Despite these attacks, Omar has continued to serve her constituents and advocate for the progressive policies that she believes in, being reelected in both 2020 and 2022.

Related Article: Marco Rubio Then and Now

Ilhan Omar’s Personal Life

In 2002, Ilhan Omar became engaged to Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi, entering into a faith-based Islamic marriage. 

The couple had two children together, including Isra Hirsi, a prominent climate activist. In 2008, Omar and Hirsi separated according to their faith tradition. 

The following year, in 2009, she married Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, a British Somali. After a faith-based divorce from Elmi in 2011, Omar reconciled with Hirsi, and they had a third child in 2012. 

Related Article: Mitch Landrieu Then and Now

In 2017, Omar and Elmi legally divorced, and the following year she legally married Hirsi. 

However, their marriage ended in 2019 when Omar filed for divorce, citing an “irretrievable breakdown” of the relationship.

In March 2020, Omar married political consultant Tim Mynett. Mynett’s consulting firm, the E Street Group, had received significant contracts from Omar’s campaign, amounting to $2.78 million during the 2020 election cycle. 

Related Article: Jen Psaki Then and Now

This became a point of contention, with both her Democratic primary opponent and conservative critics raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest. 

In response to the criticism, Omar’s campaign terminated its contract with Mynett’s firm in November 2020 to address any perceived ethical issues and maintain transparency for her supporters. Despite the scrutiny, Omar and Mynett remain married.

Related Article: Pete Buttigieg Then and Now

Ilhan Omar Now

Ilhan Omar, now 42 years old, has made history as a groundbreaking figure in American politics. 

Since 2019, she has served as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, which encompasses all of Minneapolis and some nearby suburbs. 

A member of the Democratic Party, Omar has been a vocal advocate for progressive causes and currently serves as the deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. 

Her policy priorities include advocating for a $15 minimum wage, universal healthcare, student loan debt forgiveness, the protection of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Related Article: Greg Abbott Then and Now

Omar has also been a strong critic of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel. 

She has supported the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for economic pressure on Israel to address its treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories. 

Omar has denounced Israel’s settlement policies and military actions, as well as the influence of pro-Israel lobbies in American politics. 

These stances have made her a target of criticism, and in February 2023, the Republican-controlled House removed her from the Foreign Affairs Committee due to concerns about her past comments on Israel and questions about her objectivity in foreign policy matters.

Related Article: Gavin Newsom Then and Now

As the first Somali American and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in the U.S. Congress, Omar has broken numerous barriers. 

She is also the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in Congress. Throughout her career, Omar has faced significant opposition and hostility, often due to her background as an immigrant, a Muslim, and a woman of color. 

Former President Donald Trump frequently singled her out for derogatory remarks, and she has endured numerous death threats. 

Despite these challenges, Omar remains a committed advocate for progressive change and continues to champion policies aimed at improving the lives of marginalized communities.

Related Article: Andrew Cuomo Then and Now