Odessa Kelly, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) for re-election, is touting the backing of three of Congress’s most left-wing members. 

Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) and Cori Bush (D-MO-01) issued the endorsements on Monday. The congresswomen are members of what many observers call “The Squad,” a six-member coalition of far-left U.S. House members who advocate for such causes as police defunding, Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.

“The 3 most courageous Black women in Congress have officially endorsed our people-powered campaign!” Kelly tweeted. “Thank you for being in our corner, @IlhanMN, @AyannaPressley [and] @CoriBush — I’m humbled by the support and grateful to be guided by your fearless leadership.”

The three congresswomen all represent solidly Democratic districts, and each has uniquely courted controversy. Omar, who has served in Congress since 2019, first became a focus of contention in 2012 when she was working as a political operative. 

That year, as Israel combated Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, the future legislator wrote, “Israel has hypnotized the world. May Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.” 

Last year, Bush befuddled many observers when she called for defunding law enforcement yet was discovered to have spent about $70,000 in campaign funds on private security. When CBS pressed why she wouldn’t support funding officers to protect the vast majority of people who cannot afford bodyguards, the avowed socialist did not give a direct answer. 

“Either I spend $70,000 on private security over the last few months and I’m here standing now and able to speak, able to help save 11 million people from being evicted [during the COVID-related eviction moratorium] or I could possibly have a death attempt on my life … ,” she said. “I have private security because my body is worth being on this planet right now … , so suck it up. And defunding the police has to happen; we need to defund the police and put that money into social safety nets because we’re trying to save lives.” 

Pressley has similarly advocated for radical policies, championing a proposal to lower the voting age to 16. In 2020, she made what many interpreted as a call for violence in response to progressive discontent over the Trump administration. 

“Make the phone calls, send the emails, show up,” she said in an MSNBC interview. “You know, there needs to be unrest in the streets for as long as there’s unrest in our lives.”

The Squad members may be among the fringe endorsements Kelly has showcased throughout her campaign. However, she boasts an array of supporters who are well to the left of the Volunteer State’s Clarksville-based 7th Congressional District. Her backers include the socialist Working Families Party and labor organizations like the Tennessee AFL-CIO, as well as culturally liberal groups like National Organization for Women PAC, She the People, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund. 

However unhelpful Kelly’s leftist base may be in making inroads in western Tennessee, she isn’t shying away from it. The candidate announced on Monday that Bush would come to Nashville on Saturday to rally for her. Kelly indicated that abortion rights will be a major item on the agenda for discussion. 

Green, an Army veteran and flight surgeon who has served in Congress since 2019 and previously served in the state Senate, has paid his challenger little mind, running a confident and largely positive campaign. 

“Camie [his wife] and I loved seeing so many friends at the polls when we went to early vote today,” he told voters this week via Twitter. “Tennessee, get out and vote if you haven’t already done so!”

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Bradley Vasoli is a writer for The Tennessee Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Odessa Kelly for Congress” by Odessa Kelly for Congress. Photo “Ilhan Omar” by Rep. Ilhan Omar. Photo “Ayanna Pressley” by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Photo “Cori Bush” by Congresswoman Cori Bush. Background Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Martin Falbisoner. CC BY-SA 3.0.

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