Somali-American legislator expected to return to Congress in November representing a heavily Democratic district.

Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American member of the US Congress, survived a stiff Democratic primary challenge from a well-funded opponent, who tried to make an issue of her national celebrity, the latest in a string of victories by a new generation of progressive legislators.

Omar's district is predominantly Democratic, and she is expected to win in November.

One of the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress in 2018, Omar, 37, is well-known as a member of the "Squad" of four freshman liberal congresswomen. .

After news reports projected Omar as the winner of the race, Tlaib congratulated her saying, "Our squad is big!" Omar and Tlaib became the first two Muslim women elected to Congress in 2018.

Omar's opponent Melton-Meaux used the cash to paper the district and flood airwaves with his "Focused on the Fifth" message that portrayed Omar as out of touch with the heavily Democratic Minneapolis-area 5th District, which has not elected a Republican to Congress since 1960.

Omar's win in a Democratic stronghold means all four Squad members are likely to win re-election in November.