U.S. House, Minnesota 5th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District?
Ilhan Omar has the strongest record in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Ilhan Omar scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of John Nagel at 53, as of October 5, 2026. Ilhan Omar's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. John Nagel's highest marks are roots in the constituency. DeVelle Jackson (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Independent
DeVelle Jackson
On the ballot as DeVelle L. Jackson
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Republican
John Nagel
53 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
DFL · incumbent
Strongest record
Ilhan Omar
63 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 50
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
DeVelle Jackson
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
John Nagel
- Credit1981 to 2011
Served about 30 years with the Minnesota State Patrol and is described in news reports as a retired lieutenant.
Sources: Fox News, August 18, 2026, Fox News, August 15, 2024
Ilhan Omar
- Mark against2019-06-06
On June 6, 2019, the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board found her state committee spent campaign funds for unpermitted purposes in 2016 and 2017, ordering $3,469.23 repaid and a $500 civil penalty.
Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, findings, conclusions and order
- Mark against2014 to 2015
The 2019 board order records joint 2014 and 2015 tax returns filed with Ahmed Hirsi; the Associated Press reported she was then legally married to another man. No tax authority finding was published.
Sources: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, findings, conclusions and order, Associated Press via MPR News, June 11, 2019
- On the record2025-09-17
On September 17, 2025, the House voted 214 to 213 to table a resolution to censure her and remove her from two committees over posts after Charlie Kirk's killing.
- On the record2023-02-02
On February 2, 2023, the House adopted H.Res. 76 by 218 to 211, on party lines, removing her from the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Sources: H.Res. 76, engrossed text (GovInfo), NPR, February 2, 2023, Clerk of the House, Roll Call 105 (2023)
- On the record2022-07-19
She was among 17 House members arrested for crowding or obstructing at a July 19, 2022 protest outside the Supreme Court; fines were $50, and the House Ethics Committee took no further action.
Sources: House Committee on Ethics report, July 29, 2022, NBC News, July 19, 2022
- On the record2021-11
The FEC voted 6 to 0 to find no reason to believe she or her campaign converted funds to personal use through payments to E Street Group, closing a 2019 complaint (MUR 7639).
Sources: FEC, Matter Under Review 7639, CBS Minnesota, January 15, 2022
- On the record2019-02-11
On February 11, 2019, she apologized for tweets about the influence of a pro-Israel lobby group after House Democratic leaders condemned them as invoking antisemitic tropes.
Sources: The Guardian, February 11, 2019, NPR, February 2, 2023
- Credit2026-01-27
On January 27, 2026, a man sprayed liquid at her from a syringe during a Minneapolis town hall; she continued the event after police removed him.
Sources: FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, January 27, 2026, NPR, January 27, 2026
- Credit2020 to 2022
Three bills she sponsored became law: two Minneapolis post office namings signed December 27, 2022, and the 2020 MEALS Act, enacted through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Sources: GovTrack, H.R. 8025 (117th), GovTrack, H.R. 6187 (116th), MEALS Act, GovTrack member page, MPR News, March 18, 2024
- Credit2018-11
Elected in November 2018 as the first Somali American in Congress and one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.
Source: BBC News, November 7, 2018
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. FEC statement of candidacy filed October 27, 2025. House candidate financial disclosure reports filed November 23, 2025 and April 17, 2026. FEC enforcement search returned no fines or findings for his committee.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk financial disclosure index, 2026
Ilhan Omar. A Minnesota Campaign Finance Board order dated June 6, 2019 found her state campaign committee used funds for purposes not permitted in 2016 and 2017. She was ordered to reimburse $3,469.23 and pay a $500 civil penalty.
Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board findings, conclusions and order
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. No public record found.
Ilhan Omar. Recorded votes against her party's majority on significant measures: the 2021 infrastructure law (one of six Democrats opposed), the 2021 Capitol security supplemental, and a 2026 Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions bill (the only Democrat opposed).
Sources: CNN, ABC News, GovTrack member page
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. No public record found.
Ilhan Omar. Her office states she holds monthly town halls. News coverage documents in-person town halls in Minneapolis in 2026. No news report of a 2026 general election debate accepted or declined was found.
Sources: omar.house.gov town halls page, FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. Served 30 years with the Minnesota State Patrol, retiring as a field lieutenant in 2011 per his campaign. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Fox News, Campaign site
Ilhan Omar. Has held elected office since 2017, in the Minnesota House and then four terms in the U.S. House. No House censure or reprimand was found in the sources checked.
Sources: GovTrack member page, Ballotpedia
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. Served 30 years as a sworn Minnesota State Patrol officer. No official finding of misuse of office found and no recorded action on certified election results.
Source: Fox News
Ilhan Omar. Has held House office under oath since January 3, 2019. Voted nay on both objections to certified electoral votes in January 2021 (Roll Calls 10 and 11). No official finding of misuse of office found.
Sources: Clerk of the House, Roll Call 10 (2021), Clerk of the House, Roll Call 11 (2021), GovTrack member page
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
DeVelle Jackson. His campaign biography states he worked as a union roofer and carpenter and later held field engineering and superintendent responsibilities on major construction projects. No prior elected office.
Source: Campaign site biography
John Nagel. Thirty-year Minnesota State Patrol career, including sergeant at the training academy and field lieutenant, per his campaign. No prior elected office.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia candidate page
Ilhan Omar. Serving her fourth term in this office, since January 3, 2019. Served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019.
Sources: GovTrack member page, Ballotpedia
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
DeVelle Jackson. Publishes a 12-point platform with detailed proposals, and identifies which would require a constitutional amendment.
Source: Campaign site platform
John Nagel. Campaign site publishes six issue positions in general terms. His Ballotpedia survey answers name oversight tools such as audits, eligibility checks and inspector general review.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia race page
Ilhan Omar. Ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the Education and Workforce Committee and a member of the Budget Committee. Her 2026 Ballotpedia survey answers give specific proposals with figures.
Sources: GovTrack member page, omar.house.gov committees page, Ballotpedia race page
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
DeVelle Jackson. Completed the 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey and publishes a platform on his campaign site.
Source: Ballotpedia candidate page
John Nagel. Completed the 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey and publishes issue positions on his campaign site.
Source: Ballotpedia candidate page
Ilhan Omar. Completed the 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Her office offers a newsletter, tele-town halls and monthly town halls, and publishes issue pages.
Sources: Ballotpedia, omar.house.gov tele-town hall page, omar.house.gov events page
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
DeVelle Jackson. His campaign biography states he was born in Saint Paul and has lived in several Minneapolis neighborhoods. His FEC statement of candidacy lists a Minneapolis mailing address. No itemized contribution data is on file with the FEC.
Sources: Campaign site biography, FEC Form 2, statement of candidacy
John Nagel. Campaign describes him as a lifelong resident of St. Louis Park, which is in the district. FEC by-state data show about 6 percent of itemized individual contributions from Minnesota through July 22, 2026.
Sources: Campaign site, FEC candidate page
Ilhan Omar. Her office biography says she moved to Minneapolis in 1997. FEC by-state data show about 9 percent of itemized individual contributions from Minnesota for January 2025 through July 22, 2026.
Sources: omar.house.gov biography, FEC candidate page
Management
Can build and run an organization.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. FEC reports are on file through the July 22, 2026 pre-primary period, showing $747,046.28 raised and $33,270.04 in debts owed by the committee. FEC enforcement search returned no administrative fines.
Source: FEC candidate page
Ilhan Omar. FEC reports are on file through the July 22, 2026 pre-primary period, showing $5,829,714.74 raised and no debts owed by the committee. FEC enforcement search returned no administrative fines.
Source: FEC candidate page
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. No public record found.
Ilhan Omar. Center for Effective Lawmaking data rate her below expectations for the 118th Congress (score 0.164 against a benchmark of 0.530). GovTrack counts 3 enacted bills with her as primary sponsor since 2019.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking data page, Center for Effective Lawmaking House data file, GovTrack member page
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. No public record found.
Ilhan Omar. GovTrack reports she missed 90 of 3,869 roll call votes, 2.3 percent, from January 2019 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack member page
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. No public record found.
Ilhan Omar. One district office in Minneapolis with a casework team. Her office reported nearly 900 cases handled and over $4.4 million returned to constituents in 2025, and town halls in six cities.
Sources: omar.house.gov, Rep. Omar reflects on 2025, omar.house.gov casework page, FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. No public record found.
Ilhan Omar. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index for the 118th Congress, first session, the latest House release: score -1.98512, rank 427 of 436, in the bottom quarter of the chamber.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House scores
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
DeVelle Jackson. No public record found.
John Nagel. No public record found.
Ilhan Omar. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District?
Ilhan Omar has the strongest record in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Ilhan Omar scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of John Nagel at 53, as of October 5, 2026. Ilhan Omar's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. John Nagel's highest marks are roots in the constituency. DeVelle Jackson (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District in 2026?
DeVelle L. Jackson (Independent), John Nagel (Republican), Ilhan Omar (DFL, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is DeVelle Jackson a good candidate for Congress?
DeVelle Jackson has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is John Nagel a good candidate for Congress?
John Nagel scores 53 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 55 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Ilhan Omar a good candidate for Congress?
Ilhan Omar scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Minnesota race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Minnesota 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.