Minnesota state senator Omar Fateh encountered a significant setback in his mayoral campaign for Minneapolis as the state’s Democrat-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party rescinded its endorsement. This decision followed a contentious nominating convention held in July, where allegations of voting irregularities emerged. Fateh, a prominent figure among progressive candidates, had initially secured the party’s endorsement, but the DFL’s internal conflicts have raised questions about his campaign’s viability.
The infighting within the local DFL branch has put a damper on Fateh’s momentum. The party’s endorsement was challenged after nearly 100 individuals, including incumbent mayor Jacob Frey, expressed concerns regarding the vote count. The 12-hour convention faced interruptions during the counting of electronic ballots, and errors were reported in tallying paper votes. The situation escalated to a controversial final count that involved delegates raising badges to indicate their choices.
According to the Star Tribune, an internal investigation by the DFL’s Constitution, Bylaws and Rules Committee revealed that the electronic voting was “substantially flawed.” Reports indicated that the first round of voting was undercounted by 176 votes, leading to the premature elimination of candidate DeWayne Davis in the ranked-choice voting process. Fateh’s supporters expressed outrage over the endorsement’s revocation, viewing it as a disenfranchisement of their voices.
Fateh’s co-campaign manager, Graham Faulkner, described the situation as a violation of democratic principles. He asserted, “Twenty-eight mostly out-state, establishment Democrats, including many Frey donors and supporters, met privately and voted to overturn the will of Minneapolis residents.” Former Minnesota House Delegate Hodan Hassan echoed this sentiment on social media, characterizing the DFL’s actions as sabotage that undermines grassroots democracy.
In response to the DFL’s decision, a group of over a dozen Democratic lawmakers, led by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, condemned the reversal, calling it a “stain on our party for years to come.” They warned that this internal discord could hinder the party’s future electoral efforts.
While the lack of an official endorsement could impede Fateh’s campaign, no external polling data currently shows his standing within the crowded field. Incumbent Frey, despite experiencing a decline in his approval ratings, has raised a record-breaking $539,000 in July alone—40 percent more than his total fundraising from the previous campaign. In contrast, Fateh has raised approximately $269,000, with just $54,000 remaining in his campaign account.
Frey’s ongoing support from key political figures, including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz, bolsters his campaign. Governor Walz praised Frey’s contributions to housing and public safety, affirming his support for the mayor’s re-election efforts.
The race has further intensified following reports linking Fateh’s campaign staff to controversial remarks regarding the recent escalation of violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Klobuchar publicly criticized these comments, stating they “are outrageous and have no place in our politics.”
As the Minneapolis mayoral race unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the candidates and their respective campaigns. With a diverse slate of candidates and a ranked-choice voting system, the path to victory may still be open for Fateh, despite the recent turmoil.
