Minneapolis voters are electing a mayor, potentially making Somali-American Senator Omar Fateh the city’s first East African mayor.
The election is a 15-way race, with Fateh facing two-term incumbent Jacob Frey.
Omar Fateh, 35, made history in 2020 when he became Minnesota’s first Somali-American senator. His campaign focuses on cost-of-living issues, such as housing affordability and raising wages for workers.
Fateh’s campaign gained momentum in July when he received the endorsement of the Democratic National Committee, but that endorsement was withdrawn due to technical glitches in the voting system. The decision sparked outrage, with supporters accusing the party of pressure from groups seeking to protect Frey. Fateh described it as a war between the poor and the rich.
The US media has dubbed Fateh the “Mamdani of the Midwest,” comparing him to Zohran Mamdani, the Muslim politician running for mayor of New York City. The two share a vision for social justice, affordable housing, and public safety reform.
Meanwhile, Frey, 44, boasts of restoring the livability of Minneapolis, touting a decline in homicides in the city and implementing court agreements on police reform.
Somali and East African turnout could play a major role in the outcome, with the Cedar-Riverside, Ventura Village, and Phillips neighborhoods expected to see high turnout. Fateh is backed by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, labor unions, and city council members, and his campaign is focusing on Somali businesses and the immigrant community.
Since launching his campaign, Fateh has faced Islamophobic threats and online attacks, but he says he is not afraid. Meanwhile, Frey is backed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and business groups, who are bolstering his campaign financially.
If Omar Fateh wins, he will become the first Somali to become mayor of a major American city, a historic achievement that demonstrates the growth and influence of the Somali community in Minnesota.
