Minneapolis DFL Party Convention Ends in Chaos, State Sen. Omar Fateh Wins Endorsement for Mayor

Strategic Insights -

Minneapolis DFL Party convention attendees witnessed a chaotic and divisive endorsement process for mayor, ultimately resulting in state Sen. Omar Fateh claiming the party's endorsement. This marks the party's first endorsement in a contested mayor's race since at least 1997. Fateh's victory is a significant coup for left-wing critics seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, a two-term sitting mayor. The result came after a dramatic and delayed vote count, with Frey's campaign intending to appeal the outcome.

Key Takeaways:

  • State Sen. Omar Fateh won the Minneapolis DFL Party's endorsement for mayor, marking the party's first endorsement in a contested mayor's race since at least 1997.
  • Fateh's victory is a significant coup for left-wing critics seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, a two-term sitting mayor.
  • The endorsement process was marred by controversy, with Frey supporters claiming the party's online delegate voting system had broken down and delayed the vote count.
  • The voting system, however, was reportedly functioning properly, albeit with slow devices and internet connections at Target Center.
  • Fateh's campaign received support from some of DeWayne Davis and Jazz Hampton's supporters, who crossed over to Fateh and raised their badges for him on the second ballot.
  • Fateh won 43.8% of the roughly 577 votes cast, with Frey winning 31.5% and Davis receiving 19.9%.
  • The party's endorsement threshold is 60%, and Fateh's victory did not meet this threshold but was declared the winner through a show of hands and paper ballots.
  • Frey's campaign intends to appeal the outcome with the state-level DFL Party.
  • Former party chair Conrad Zbikowski, also running for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, will likely file a protest with the state party.
  • Frankly, Fateh's endorsement does not necessarily foretell his defeat in November, as Frey has previously won in ranked-choice general elections.
  • Frey also finished second at the 2017 and 2021 DFL conventions before winning in Minneapolis' ranked-choice general election.

Statistics:

  • Fateh won 43.8% of the roughly 577 votes cast in the only reported round of endorsement voting.
  • Frey won 31.5% of the vote in the same round.
  • Davis received 19.9% of the vote, shy of the 20% needed to advance to the second ballot.
  • Hampton received 4% and Brenda Short received less than 1%.
  • The party's endorsement threshold is 60%, which Fateh did not meet but was declared the winner through a show of hands and paper ballots.

Sources:

  • Axios: "Minneapolis mayor's race: DFL convention ends in chaos" (https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/06/27/minneapolis-mayor-zohran-mamdani-progressives)
  • Axios: "Minneapolis city council votes to move forward with mayor Jacob Frey's election" (https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/12/minneapolis-city-council-votes-mayor-jacob-frey)
  • Star Tribune: "Omar Fateh wins Minneapolis DFL endorsement for mayor" (https://www.startribune.com/omar-fateh-minneapolis-dfl-endorsement-mayor-jacob-frey/601426610)
  • Twitter: Kai X. Sosoe (@kystokes) (https://x.com/kystokes/status/1946760262943375695)