The Minneapolis DFL Party has endorsed State Senator Omar Fateh as its candidate for mayor, marking a significant moment in city politics. Fateh, 35, made history in 2020 as the first Somali American and first Muslim elected to the Minnesota State Senate. Now, he’s aiming to bring that same trailblazing energy to City Hall.
“This endorsement is a message that Minneapolis residents are done with broken promises, vetoes, and politics as usual,” Fateh posted on X. “It’s a mandate to build a city that works for all of us.”
A First-Generation American With Bold Ambitions
Fateh, a first-generation American and community advocate, is running on a progressive platform that centers on housing, public safety reform, and inclusive city governance. On his campaign site, he points to the growing challenges working families face in Minneapolis—and warns that the return of Donald Trump to the national spotlight only adds urgency.
“With Trump stepping back into the Oval Office, everything we’ve worked so hard to create is in jeopardy,” he wrote. “It’s time to push back with forward-thinking leadership.”
A Sharp Critique of Mayor Jacob Frey
Fateh has been openly critical of Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing him of failing to fulfill key promises—including ending homelessness by 2022 and providing a clear plan for public safety in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
“He vetoes every solution that comes to his desk,” Fateh said. “It’s time for a Mayor who has real solutions that put Minneapolis residents first.”
DFL Endorsement Battle Draws Crowds
Fateh secured the DFL endorsement during a crowded party convention, beating out four other candidates, including Frey. Due to overwhelming interest, the event was moved from North High School to the Target Center, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves, to accommodate 1,600 delegates and alternates.
Despite the outcome, Frey’s campaign is challenging the results, claiming procedural issues during the convention.
“This election should be decided by the entire city rather than a small group of delegates,” Frey said, adding that voters will now have a “clear choice” between his leadership and Fateh’s.
Part of a Growing Progressive Wave
Fateh’s rise mirrors a national shift within the Democratic Party. His endorsement comes shortly after Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and Ugandan-born assemblyman from New York City, won his party’s mayoral nomination—highlighting growing momentum for progressive candidates of color in urban races across the country.
The Minneapolis mayoral election is set for November, with Fateh and Frey offering two starkly different visions for the city’s future.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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