Jamaica-born Don Samuels has announced he’s running for a seat in the U.S Congress.
Samuels is a Jamaican immigrant in the US and brother of prominent local attorneys Bert and Jaqueline Samuels Brown.
According to US media, the long-time community activist and former Minneapolis City Council member officially registered with the Federal Election Commission to oppose Rep. Ilhan Omar in the primary for the 5th Congressional District in August.
Bert Samuels says his brother has made his family and the nation proud.
A March 8 Federal Elections Commission filing shows the 72-year-old, would run as a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in an effort to unseat two-time incumbent Omar.
The stakes have never been higher, Samuels said in a statement announcing his candidacy.
He told an audience that the city and nation are threatened by devastating economic disparities, the catastrophic effects of climate change, and a sustained attack on democracy in the US and abroad.
The Jamaica-born politician moved to the United States to study art.
After building a successful career in the private sector, he won a seat on the Minneapolis City Council in 2003.
He spent much of his time on the council sounding the alarm about youth violence in Minneapolis.
Ten years later, Samuels announced his bid for mayor of Minneapolis, eventually losing to Betsy Hodges.
Samuels later served on the board for Minneapolis Public Schools.
