Minneapolis DFL Backs Somali-American Senator for Mayor
Progressive challenger Omar Fateh unseats incumbent Jacob Frey in contentious convention
Minneapolis Democrats have signaled a shift towards progressive leadership, endorsing Somali-American State Senator Omar Fateh for Mayor. This victory over two-term incumbent Jacob Frey at a chaotic party convention highlights a growing trend of minority-led candidates challenging established figures in urban centers.
Convention Chaos Leads to Progressive Endorsement
The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party convention for Minneapolis Mayor saw a tumultuous day of voting. Technical issues with a digital system and a subsequent walkout by Frey supporters preceded Fateh securing over 60% of the delegate vote via a show-of-hands count.
A Milestone for Progressive Politics
This marks the first time since at least 1997 that the Minneapolis DFL has endorsed a challenger in a contested mayoral race. Fateh’s win, despite Frey’s incumbency and fundraising, reflects a desire among party activists for a departure from the status quo.
Who is Omar Fateh?
At 35, Omar Fateh is a State Senator representing District 62. He made history as the first Somali-American and first Muslim elected to the Minnesota State Senate. A self-described democratic socialist, Fateh champions housing justice, rent stabilization, police reform, and taxing the wealthy. His political profile is often compared to New York socialist legislator Zohran Mamdani.
Ballot Blunders and Political Strife
The convention’s proceedings were marred by technical difficulties with smartphone voting, leading to significant delays. As the digital system reportedly failed, Frey‘s campaign alleged the process was compromised. Supporters of the incumbent mayor then reportedly withdrew to challenge the quorum, after which party officials moved to a manual vote, which Fateh ultimately won.
In the initial digital tally, Omar Fateh garnered 43.8% of the vote, followed by Jacob Frey with 31.5%. Other candidates, including DeWayne Davis and Jazz Hampton, received smaller percentages.
The Path to the Mayor’s Office
While the DFL endorsement provides significant party backing, the race is not yet decided. Minneapolis employs ranked-choice voting, and all candidates, including Frey, remain on the ballot for the November general election. Frey has a history of losing DFL endorsements but winning general elections, relying on name recognition and campaign funding.
A recent study by the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs indicated that nearly 60% of Minneapolis residents expressed dissatisfaction with the city’s direction in 2023, suggesting a potential openness to new leadership (University of Minnesota, 2023).
Frey’s Response and Future Strategy
Frey‘s campaign criticized the convention as “extremely flawed and irregular,” vowing to appeal the outcome to the state DFL. The campaign plans to present its case directly to the city’s voters, bypassing the delegate process.
The endorsement sets the stage for a classic contest between an establishment candidate and a progressive challenger. Both Fateh and Frey will now mobilize their supporters, navigating issues of public safety, economic disparity, and the ongoing legacy of racial justice movements in Minneapolis.
Understanding the DFL
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is Minnesota’s branch of the national Democratic Party. Established in 1944 through a merger of the state’s Democrats and the Farmer–Labor Party, the DFL represents the Democratic Party’s interests in Minnesota.