Minnesota State Senator Omar Fateh faces significant challenges in his mayoral campaign in Minneapolis after the city’s Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) rescinded its endorsement. This decision came following controversies regarding alleged voting misconduct during the party’s July nominating convention. Despite this setback, Fateh remains determined to continue his campaign against a crowded field, including incumbent mayor Jacob Frey.
The controversy surrounding the endorsement stems from a series of irregularities reported during the DFL convention. Allegations included halting the counting of electronic ballots and errors in counting paper ballots. This culminated in a vote count that featured a hand-raising method among delegates, which was met with skepticism. Nearly 100 individuals, including Frey, challenged the integrity of the vote, claiming discrepancies between reported totals and the number of delegates present. An internal investigation by the DFL’s Constitution, Bylaws and Rules Committee later confirmed that electronic voting had significant flaws, with the initial round undercounted by 176 votes, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. This error led to the premature elimination of candidate DeWayne Davis from the ranked-choice voting process.
Fateh’s supporters have expressed outrage at the DFL’s decision. Co-campaign manager Graham Faulkner characterized the revocation of the endorsement as a “disenfranchisement” of thousands of Minneapolis caucus-goers. Faulkner criticized the actions of a select group of establishment Democrats, stating, “Twenty-eight mostly out-state, establishment Democrats, including many Frey donors and supporters, met privately and voted to overturn the will of Minneapolis residents.”
The discontent was echoed by former Minnesota House Delegate Hodan Hassan, who expressed her frustration on social media, describing the maneuver as a “disgrace” and accusing party insiders of undermining democratic processes. A coalition of over a dozen Democratic lawmakers, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, condemned the DFL’s decision, labeling it a “stain on our party for years to come” and suggesting it would hinder future organizing efforts.
While the lack of official endorsement presents hurdles for Fateh, the dynamics of the race remain fluid. External polling has yet to provide a clear picture of how Fateh is faring among the crowded candidate field. Frey, despite his incumbency, is grappling with low approval ratings; a recent poll indicated his positive rating among Minneapolis voters stands at just 30 percent, a significant drop from 51 percent prior to his re-election in 2021.
In terms of fundraising, Frey has broken records, raising more than $539,000 in July alone, surpassing his previous campaign’s total by 40 percent. In contrast, Fateh has raised approximately $269,000 through July, with only $54,000 remaining in his campaign account.
Frey continues to enjoy support from influential political figures, including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz. Walz highlighted Frey’s contributions to making Minneapolis a leader in housing initiatives and public safety, stating, “I am proud to support Mayor Frey’s reelection so that we can continue working together to move Minneapolis into the future.”
Amid the political turmoil, Frey has also faced criticism regarding remarks made by Fateh’s campaign staff, which were perceived as glorifying the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. Klobuchar’s spokesperson condemned these comments as “outrageous,” emphasizing that such sentiments have no place in political discourse.
As the campaign progresses, the implications of the DFL’s endorsement reversal and the broader fallout from internal party disputes will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the outcome of Minneapolis’s mayoral race.
