State Rep. Junie Joseph faces backlash for attending U.S.Rep Ilhan Omar fundraiser on day of Boulder attackRep. Junie Joseph says attendance was based on being a 'goodwill ambassador

Marissa Ventrelli 

Colorado state Rep. Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, released a statement Monday "strongly condemning" Rep. Junie Joseph, a Boulder Democrat, for attending a private reception for Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar on the same day a man attacked and injured 12 Jewish Demonstrators in her district. 

Omar has been a frequent critic of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and the influence of opposing-Israeli lobbies in American politics. Republicans in Congress have attempted to censure her twice, in 2019 and 2024, for her comments about Israel. Neither effort was successful. 

Hartsook called Omar a "notorious anti-Semite" and said Democrats who attended the event "should be ashamed of themselves." Other state lawmakers attended the Omar fundraiser, including Sen. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. 

Several local government officials also attended, including city council members from Aurora and the Arapahoe County Commission. 

The event was hosted by Lisa Calderon, a former Denver mayoral candidate. 

Calderon told Colorado Politics it is "incumbent upon all of us to stand together in solidarity against hate" in times like these. 

"Tragically, instead of fostering unity, some are choosing to inflame division," she said. "Today, President Trump used this tragedy to scapegoat immigrants, while a MAGA Colorado state legislator turned it into an attack on Democrats and women of color. That is unacceptable.: 

Calderon said citizens must comes together to "unequivocally condemn this hate-driven attack on a Jewish group in Boulder and reject the divisive, dangerous rhetoric fueling these acts of hate. I stand with Boulder’s Jewish community. I denounce hate in all its forms, and I reject the dangerous politics fueling it."

Joseph said she has heard from community members who have expressed concern about herattending the a fundraiser for Omar who continues to be a divisive member in Congress.

"As an ambassador for Boulder, I showed up out of respect for the office Congresswoman holds and thecommunities she represents," she said. "She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus."

Joseph said she was asked to introduce Omar at a Young Democrats event, but since Omar wasunable to attend due to personal reasons, Joseph felt it was appropriate for her to attend the fundraiserto welcome her to Colorado.

"My participation at that event was rooted in my responsibility as a goodwill ambassador for Boulder,"she said. "I firmly believe that bridging divides requires honest engagement and continued dialogue.Avoiding one another leads only to more misunderstanding and pain. To be clear, attending a fundraiserfor Rep. Omar—who has long been a voice for marginalized communities—does not conflict with mycondemnation of an attack on a group in our community. Supporting human rights and expressing griefand solidarity in the face of violence are not mutually exclusive."

During Sunday's fundraiser for Omar, Joseph said she heard from members of the Muslim communityabout how they, like the Jewish community, are also worried and afraid. 

"While the investigation into yesterday’s tragedy is ongoing, let us remember: this act of violence wasnot committed by the Muslim community," Joseph said. "In times of fear and grief, we must take specialcare not to sow division or suspicion based on faith or identity. These are complex and painful times,and we must resist the urge to reduce people’s values to false binaries. I reject the notion that standingagainst antisemitism requires abandoning solidarity with those who advocate for Palestinian humanrights—or vice versa. My focus remains on the safety, dignity, and unity of everyone in our community.”

Joseph said she remains committed to “welcoming and listening to all members of our community—Jewish, Palestinian, and beyond.”

After the attacks, Joseph provided a statement on social media condemning the attacks.

While Omar has repeatedly criticized the Israeli regime, she has also condemned Hamas attacks oninnocent civilians in the country. She has not made any specific derogatory remarks toward Jewishpeople, but some see her statements against Israel as antisemitic.

Omar represents Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and its westernsuburbs. She is up for reelection in 2026. Omar has not yet made a comment about Sunday's attack inBoulder, nor did she comment when asked about the recent shooting in Washington D.C. that killed twoIsraeli Embassy staffers.

About half an hour before the fundraiser began in Denver, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, anEgyptian citizen, threw two Molotov cocktails into a Boulder crowd of demonstrators from a group calledRun for Their Lives, which raises awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Twelve people between the ages of 52 and 88 were injured. One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor,according to a friend who spoke to 9NEWS.

Some victims show suffered burns and were transported to Denver-area hospitals. UCHealth Universityof Colorado Hospital in Aurora confirmed it received three patients who were airlifted from the scene.

The Boulder Police Department on Monday said none of the burn victims had died.

Soliman was apprehended by police and was charged with a federal hate crime by the FBI Mondayafternoon. The offense carries a possible sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.