It’s Election Day in Minneapolis, and the city’s atmosphere feels tense. Mayor Jacob Frey, who has led the city through years of crisis and rebuilding, faces the toughest challenge of his political life.
His opponent, Omar Fateh, a 35-year-old Somali American state senator, has turned a grassroots campaign into a serious contest.
Fateh, who made history in 2020 as Minnesota’s first Muslim and Somali American senator, is running on a message of fairness, housing security, and opportunity for working families.
As the polls narrow to a tight 5-point race, Minneapolis reflects a broader national divide a battle between stability and the push for bold change.
Key Takeaways
- The election highlights national debates around equity, policing, and immigrant inclusion.
- Jacob Frey faces his strongest challenger yet in Omar Fateh, a progressive state senator with deep grassroots backing.
- Fateh’s platform focuses on rent stabilization, fair wages, and housing-first policies.
- Ranked-choice voting may play a key role, as progressive allies urge voters to back “anyone but Frey.”
- Social media buzz and community outreach have made Fateh a symbol of generational and cultural change in Minneapolis politics.
Fateh’s Rise from Grassroots to Frontline
For Fateh, this campaign is more than politics it’s personal. Raised between Washington, D.C., and Minnesota, he moved permanently to the Twin Cities in 2015.
A Democratic Socialist supported by Ilhan Omar and the Democratic Socialists of America, he lives in the Phillips neighborhood with his wife and young son. Over the years, he’s built his reputation by authoring bills for gig worker protections and reparations studies for Black Minnesotans.
His mayoral run, launched last November, has transformed him into a recognizable figure citywide. Early voting ended with a packed rally on Hennepin Avenue, where hundreds joined Fateh and Omar, chanting for what they called “a city for all.”
@BubbyBlu29353 wrote on X: “Omar Fateh is a man of the people, by the people, for the people.”
With ranked-choice voting, voters can list up to three candidates. Fateh’s allies, including DeWayne Davis and Jazz Hampton, are urging an “anyone but Frey” strategy to consolidate progressive votes.
A Platform Built Around Everyday Struggles
Fateh’s campaign stands out for its focus on real-life issues and rejection of big-donor influence. His promises include rent stabilization to cap housing costs, a $20-an-hour minimum wage by 2028, and a housing-first plan to end homelessness without sweeping encampments.
Instead, he pushes for investments in affordable housing and social programs that treat homelessness as a public health issue.
On public safety, he supports ongoing police reforms while investing in community-based programs, moving away from the earlier “defund” rhetoric. For immigrant families, he pledges to maintain sanctuary city protections and alert communities of ICE activity a policy popular among immigrant and refugee groups.
“Omar Fateh is fighting for you,” he declared in a viral campaign video that gained thousands of views on Election Eve.
His rise is driven by community effort. The campaign knocked on 100,000 doors, held food drives that collected over a dozen boxes last weekend with Ilhan Omar and Jewish Voice for Peace, and maintained a steady digital presence.
At the University of Minnesota, TikToks of his talk with students about wages and safety drew 50,000 views, leading to a 15% spike in youth voter registration.
Momentum, Backlash, and the Battle Online
Fateh’s campaign has had its share of highs and controversies. His July DFL endorsement win later revoked over procedural disputes only boosted his image as an outsider challenging establishment politics. Sixteen DFL members criticized the reversal as “corruption,” energizing his base.
| Fateh’s Fall Campaign Timeline | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| July DFL Win and Revoke | Narrowly beat Frey’s allies; loss of endorsement fueled “people over party” messaging. |
| October 6 Debate | Pledged public health-led homelessness response; clips went viral. |
| October 21 UMN Rally | Youth-focused talk on fair pay earned 9,000+ likes. |
| October 30 Door-Knock | Dozens canvassed in rain to reach last undecided voters. |
| November 2 Food Drive | Mutual aid event earned 824 likes on X. |
| November 3 Rally | Joined by Ilhan Omar in final push: “Transform Minneapolis.” |
But online, backlash has been fierce. Around 70% of X activity mentioning Fateh is negative. Conservative commentators criticized him for waving a Somali flag at a rally in August, calling it “un-American.” Figures like Ted Cruz and Benny Johnson used the clip to question his loyalties.
Fateh has also faced renewed scrutiny over past remarks, minor ethics issues, and distant associations with the Feeding Our Future fraud case, though a judge found no direct ties.
Despite these attacks, his supporters continue to push back. “Baddies for Omar” memes and Pan-African organizers have rallied behind him, citing his reparations bill as proof of real justice efforts. Somali and immigrant communities see his candidacy as historic.
@Ramadan70530344 posted a video of community celebrations, earning 70 likes, while Omar’s clip praising Fateh’s “city for all” vision reached 8,000 views.
A City Split Between Stability and Change
For voters, this race is about trust and future direction. Frey points to 12,000 new housing units and efforts to rebuild the police department, winning endorsements from Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Yet, polls show his favorability dipping to -18, while Fateh holds a modest +2 rating among youth and BIPOC voters.
A recent survey placed Frey at 34%, Fateh at 29%, with 17% still undecided proof that the city remains divided but in motion.
As the clock ticks down, Fateh’s movement resembles other insurgent campaigns, like Zohran Mamdani’s surge in New York City. Whether he wins or not, his candidacy has reshaped the city’s political conversation from housing to equity to who truly represents Minneapolis.
@Deee_luul summed it up best: “Let’s prove the racists wrong. Vote Omar.”
No matter the outcome, this election has already changed the city’s pulse. Minneapolis stands at a crossroads between Frey’s established leadership and Fateh’s push for transformation.
