• Minneapolis Democrats formally endorsed State Sen. Omar Fateh for mayor over incumbent Jacob Frey in a contested and controversial vote. Fateh, a self-described democratic socialist, has pushed progressive reforms including a sanctuary state bill and police overhaul. Frey’s campaign calls the endorsement process flawed and vows to contest the result before the state party.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (TDR) — In a striking rebuke of the political establishment, Minneapolis Democrats endorsed State Sen. Omar Fateh for mayor over incumbent Jacob Frey at Saturday’s citywide DFL convention, signaling a potential leftward shift in the city’s political trajectory.

Fateh, 35, a second-term legislator and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, celebrated the endorsement as a mandate for change.

“This endorsement is a message that Minneapolis residents are done with broken promises, vetoes, and politics as usual,” he declared. “It’s a mandate to build a city that works for all of us.”

Fateh’s Platform and Background

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Fateh, described by supporters as the “Minneapolis Mamdani” in reference to New York’s socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, ran on a progressive agenda. He previously sponsored legislation to make Minnesota a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants and backed the 2021 charter amendment to dismantle the city’s police department in favor of a new Department of Public Safety.

The local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America framed his campaign as the next front in advancing its policy goals.

Convention Controversy

Frey’s campaign criticized the convention as irregular and unrepresentative. Campaign manager Sam Schulenberg decried the delegate system and the use of a faulty electronic voting process.

“This election should be decided by the entire city rather than the small group of people who became delegates,” Schulenberg said. “We look forward to taking our vision to the voters in November.”

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Convention attendee Will Stancil commented on X that the digital voting platform “seemed to break,” leaving delegates without confirmation of their votes. The process ultimately reverted to a physical badge-raising vote, where Fateh received a decisive majority.

The Path Ahead

Despite early momentum, Fateh’s candidacy faces obstacles. Frey’s team intends to challenge the endorsement before the state party, and a broader electorate may prove less receptive to Fateh’s socialist proposals.

As the race unfolds, Minneapolis voters will confront a stark choice: retain a centrist mayor with a record of incremental governance, or pivot toward a progressive experiment with deep ideological implications.

Is Minneapolis prepared to elect a mayor who champions sanctuary policies and defunding the police, or will voters stick with the known quantity in Jacob Frey?

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