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Hiiraan Online Today from Hiiraan Online: Somali Music advertisements Somali-American Omar Fateh faces Jacob Frey in Minneapolis mayoral showdown FacebookFacebook messengerTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInTelegramEmail Monday November 3, 2025 Minnesota Senator Omar Fateh, left, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, right. Credit: Dymanh Chhoun, Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal MINNEAPOLIS, Minn (HOL) — Minneapolis voters will cast ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in a crowded mayoral election that could make Omar Fateh, a Somali-American state senator and democratic socialist, the city’s first East African mayor. The 15-candidate race, which will be decided by ranked-choice voting, pits Fateh against two-term incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, whose leadership since the George Floyd protests has defined the city’s debate over policing, housing, and economic justice. Fateh, 35, first made history in 2020 as Minnesota’s first Somali-American state senator. He is running on a progressive platform focused on affordability, rent stabilization, and a $20 citywide minimum wage by 2028. He also wants to reimagine public safety by redirecting nonviolent emergency calls from police to trained mental-health and community responders. “We need a public safety model that meets people where they are, not one that over-polices poverty,” Fateh said at a recent debate. “When we invest in housing and wages, we invest in safety.” Fateh’s campaign gained momentum in July when he secured the Minneapolis Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) endorsement after winning more than 60 percent of delegate votes. But within weeks, the state DFL revoked the endorsement, citing technical issues in the electronic voting system that reportedly failed to count all ballots. The reversal sparked outrage among Fateh’s supporters, who accused party leaders of bowing to establishment pressure to protect Frey, the centrist incumbent. Fateh framed the decision as proof of a grassroots-versus-donor-class divide within Minnesota’s Democratic ranks. National media have dubbed Fateh the “Mamdani of the Midwest,” drawing comparisons to Zohran Mamdani, the Muslim and democratic socialist politician expected to win New York City’s 2025 mayoral race. Both candidates share grassroots organizing styles, Muslim heritage, and policy platforms centered on affordability, housing, and public safety reform. Frey, 44, has emphasized steady recovery, citing lower shootings, downtown revitalization, and compliance with ongoing state and federal consent decrees that mandate police reforms. “Safety and reform are not mutually exclusive,” Frey said. “Minneapolis can do both.” The next mayor will oversee reforms required by Justice Department and Minnesota Department of Human Rights investigations into patterns of racial bias and excessive force. Those mandates are court-enforceable to ensure changes to police oversight, training, and accountability systems. Under Frey, police staffing has increased from 550 to about 620 officers, though overtime remains heavy. Fateh argues that rebuilding trust requires balancing resources between law enforcement and community programs that address the root causes of violence. Under Frey, police staffing has increased from 550 to about 620 officers, though overtime remains heavy. Fateh argues that rebuilding trust requires balancing resources between law enforcement and community programs that address the root causes of violence. Turnout among Somali and East African voters could determine the outcome. Neighborhoods such as Cedar-Riverside, Ventura Village, and Phillips are expected to deliver high participation, reflecting years of community organizing around representation. During the campaign’s final weekend, Fateh canvassed Somali-owned businesses at 24 Somali Mall before stopping at the Mill City Farmers Market, highlighting his coalition of immigrants, students, and union activists. His campaign is backed by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, labor groups, and several city council members. “This election is about visibility,” said Abdirahman Warsame, a community volunteer in Cedar-Riverside. “For many of us, seeing a Somali name on the ballot for mayor means our voice finally matters.” Under Minneapolis’ ranked-choice system, voters can select up to three candidates in order of preference. If no one receives more than 50 percent in the first round, lower-ranked choices are redistributed until a majority emerges. City officials expect final tabulation to take until Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how closely the top contenders finish. Fateh benefits if progressive voters consolidate around his “Slate for Change” alliance with fellow candidates Jazz Hampton and DeWayne Davis, who have urged voters to rank one another ahead of Frey. Fateh’s campaign has faced Islamophobic threats since its launch, including anti-Muslim graffiti at his headquarters in Cedar-Riverside and online death threats investigated by law enforcement. Despite the harassment, Fateh said he refuses to be intimidated. Frey’s campaign is buoyed by establishment support, including Governor Tim Walz, and by strong fundraising from business-aligned political action committees. His team points to improvements in housing production and violent crime reduction as evidence of steady leadership. More than 23,000 residents have already cast early ballots, the second-highest early turnout in city history. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. For many Somali Minnesotans, the race carries meaning beyond Minneapolis. If Fateh wins, he would become the first Somali-American to lead a major U.S. city, a political milestone for a community that has transformed from refugees to a political force shaping Minnesota’s future. Opinion| Privacy Policy|Sports|Somali Music|Somali Map All Rights Reserved Copyright. © 1999-2025, www.hiiraan.com
