Minnesota state senator Omar Fateh has experienced a significant setback in his mayoral campaign in Minneapolis after the local branch of the Minnesota Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) rescinded its endorsement. This decision comes on the heels of allegations regarding voting irregularities during the July 2023 nominating convention, where the endorsement was initially secured despite ongoing disputes over the voting process.
The revocation of support has stunted the momentum of the 35-year-old Democratic Socialist, who had been viewed as a rising star in the race. His endorsement by the DFL had positioned him as a formidable contender against incumbent mayor Jacob Frey, who has publicly challenged the legitimacy of the party’s vote count.
The nominating convention, which lasted 12 hours, was marred by various issues, including interruptions in the electronic ballot counting and errors in tallying paper ballots. There was a controversial final count conducted through a show of badges by those present. Nearly 100 attendees, including Frey, raised concerns that the reported vote totals did not accurately reflect the number of delegates present. An internal investigation by the DFL’s Constitution, Bylaws and Rules Committee confirmed that the electronic voting system had significant flaws, revealing an undercount of 176 votes in the first round.
The fallout from the DFL’s decision has led to outrage among Fateh’s supporters. His co-campaign manager, Graham Faulkner, criticized the reversal as “disenfranchisement of thousands of Minneapolis caucus-goers and the delegates who represented all of us on convention day.” He argued that the decision was influenced by a small group of establishment Democrats, many of whom are donors to Frey.
Former Minnesota House Delegate Hodan Hassan voiced her discontent on social media, stating, “Delegates voted, the people spoke—and insiders erased it behind closed doors. This isn’t democracy, it’s sabotage.” A group of more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers, led by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, also condemned the DFL’s decision, calling it “a stain on our party for years to come.”
Despite the absence of an official endorsement, Fateh remains in the race. Minneapolis employs a ranked-choice voting system, which could provide him with an opportunity to appeal to voters amidst a crowded field of candidates. However, the lack of external polling makes it difficult to gauge his standing compared to Frey, who has faced declining approval ratings. In May, Frey had a positive rating of just 30 percent among voters, a drop from 51 percent prior to his re-election in 2021.
Financially, Frey has demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities, raising over $539,000 in July 2023—a record for Minneapolis mayoral campaigns and 40 percent more than he raised in his previous campaign. In contrast, Fateh has garnered just under $269,000 in contributions, with only $54,000 remaining in his campaign fund.
Frey continues to receive backing from influential political figures, including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz. Walz commended Frey for his leadership on housing issues and efforts to address violent crime, stating, “I am proud to support Mayor Frey’s reelection so that we can continue working together to move Minneapolis into the future.”
Tensions surrounding the campaign escalated further when Senator Klobuchar criticized Fateh after reports emerged that his campaign staff had made controversial statements regarding the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Klobuchar’s spokeswoman, Jane Meyer, described those comments as “outrageous” and inappropriate for the political discourse.
As the Minneapolis mayoral race continues to develop, the implications of the DFL’s endorsement reversal and the ongoing internal disputes within the party will play a crucial role in shaping the electoral landscape. The coming weeks will reveal whether Fateh can maintain his campaign’s viability against a backdrop of political challenges and financial disparities.
