Omar Fateh, the first Somali American elected to the Minnesota Senate and one of the nation’s first, has announced his candidacy for Minneapolis mayor, aiming to challenge incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey.
Fateh, a progressive and self-identified democratic socialist, believes his leadership could bring more collaboration and action to City Hall, contrasting it with what he describes as the current gridlock under Frey.
Fateh, 34, cites his legislative achievements as evidence of his ability to drive change, including tuition-free college for certain families, increased wages for rideshare drivers, and bipartisan efforts to combat the opioid crisis through the distribution of fentanyl testing strips. He has also been instrumental in saving the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan and advocating for housing, environmental justice, and immigrant rights.
Fateh criticized Frey’s administration for a lack of collaboration with the City Council, where most members are Democrats or democratic socialists. He believes City Hall should be more united in addressing pressing city issues.
If elected, Fateh plans to resign from the state Senate to focus fully on his mayoral duties. His campaign builds on a history of challenging the status quo, as seen in his upset victory over longtime Senator Jeff Hayden in 2020. However, his political career has not been without controversy, including a 2020 voter fraud investigation involving a campaign volunteer, though Fateh has maintained his commitment to upholding election laws.
The mayoral race is shaping up to be competitive, with Reverend DeWayne Davis already in the running and Council Member Emily Koski considering a bid.
All 13 City Council seats and the mayoral position will be on the ballot next year.
