The Race to become America’s First Somali-American Member of Congress
Ilhan Omar and Jennifer Zielinski campaign in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District to fight for the a place in congress.
Ilhan Omar and Jennifer Zielinski are going head to head in a race for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. This district makes up Minneapolis and its suburbs to the west and the north and is made up of about a 67% white population. If Ilhan Omar wins this election she will be one of the first Muslim women and Somali-American in Congress. She has also captured national attention because of her status as a Somali refugee. Jennifer Zielinski is still a new face in the elections and throughout much of her campaign takes an ambiguous approach to issues. Historically, this district has been reliably Democratic and the last representative was Democratic.
Minnesota and particularly the 5th congressional district has the largest population of Somali refugee population. Ilhan Omar criticizes our current immigration system appealing to the idea, especially for youth, that change needs to occur and that the way to do this starts with every individual. Her use of criticism and inclusion of the audience and American people allows the audience to feel connected with Ilhan. Jennifer Zielinski’s ambiguous viewpoints on immigration do not help the audience understand exactly what she wants out of immigration, “I support giving the experts what they need, If a wall is needed or makes sense, I support it; if it doesn’t in some areas, then let’s not do it. I’m for what makes sense, what works and what the experts believe is necessary.” Overall, Ilhan Omar did a better job of appealing to her audience by giving them direct statements of what type of change she wanted to see. Zielinski’s statements and arguments seemed like she was presenting facts and not her opinion or what she wanted.
Both candidates believe that public education should be accessible to all, but have different viewpoints of how to make public education more accessible and just for all. Education for all is a direct pathway to greater opportunities and security economically. Ilhan Omar appealed to her audience, specifically youth, by using familiar language and emphasis on the importance of public education at the collegiate level, “I want to guarantee tuition-free and debt-free two- and four-year public colleges and universities.” On the other hand, Jennifer Zielinski appealed to the “average” American family and teachers in the U.S., by stating that the blame on lack of public education should be pushed towards a certain group. Zielinski and Omar appealed to their audiences in different ways and took different approaches to do this, both of them talked about what they wanted to do for the future, but Omar focused more on public education as a right and how education on the college level should be more affordable and accessible rather than placing blame towards one group of people.
Recently, gun control and the issue of gun violence have become a hot topic in the United States. Ilhan Omar does a really nice job of using the inclusive “we” while talking about the future of America, “we must ensure safe schools and safe communities by investing in gun violence prevention.” Not only does Omar want to tighten the laws on gun control, but wants to also protect children, schools, and encourage more mental health services. Zielinski believes that the second amendment right should be enforced more, and “to not change what’s on the books.” Zielinski’s vagueness makes her hard to relate to when trying to appeal to her audience. Ilhan Omar’s specificity allowed her to have a better rhetorical argument when it came to the issue of gun control.
Ilhan Omar in all the issues has provided a more clear and specific argument on what she believes in and her goals if she is elected to congress. Her use of rhetorical strategies like inclusive “we” or familiar language allows the audience to feel important and understood. Zielinski is still new to the political world and many of her statements leaves the audience confused on what exactly she wants. Overall, I believe that Ilhan Omar had a better rhetorical argument in this election.
Ilhan Omar in all the issues has provided a more clear and specific argument on what she believes in and her goals if she is elected to congress. Her use of rhetorical strategies like inclusive “we” or familiar language allows the audience to feel important and understood. Zielinski is still new to the political world and many of her statements leaves the audience confused on what exactly she wants. Overall, I believe that Ilhan Omar had a better rhetorical argument in this election.
Update 11/8: Ilhan Omar won the election for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. She will be the first Somali-American politican in Congress.
