State Senator Omar Fateh, Minnesota’s first Somali American and Muslim legislator, announced his candidacy for Minneapolis mayor Monday morning, setting the stage for a high-stakes challenge to incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey in next year’s city election.
Surrounded by 14 supporters in the City Hall rotunda, Fateh framed his campaign as a battle against a “failing status quo,” declaring: “It’s getting harder to build our lives in Minneapolis.” The Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party senator positioned himself as a champion of working families, emphasizing his background as a “husband, renter, and son of Somali immigrants.”
Fateh, 36, represents District 62 in south Minneapolis and made history in 2020 when elected to the state Senate. His candidacy marks another milestone for the city’s vibrant East African community, which has grown increasingly influential in local politics. Born in Washington, D.C. to Somali immigrants, Fateh spent childhood summers in Minneapolis before moving there permanently after college.
In his announcement, Fateh accused Frey’s administration of neglecting affordability, public safety, and equity:
“For too long, City Hall has ignored the voices of renters, immigrants, and working families. We need systemic change not cosmetic fixes.”
His platform prioritizes:
Rent stabilization and tenant protections
Expanded public transit and green infrastructure
Community-led public safety reform
Economic opportunities for marginalized neighborhoods
Political Journey
Fateh’s path to politics includes:
2015: Ran for school board in Fairfax County, VA
2018: Lost DFL primary for Minnesota House (District 62A)
2020: Elected to Minnesota Senate, unseating a 44-year incumbent
2023: Authored bills on wage theft prevention and voting rights
Fateh enters a crowded field challenging Frey, who seeks a third term. Analysts note the senator’s grassroots network—forged through voter outreach work and immigrant advocacy—could energize progressive voters. Yet he faces hurdles:
Fundraising against an established incumbent
Balancing progressive demands with citywide appeal
Navigating public safety debates post-2020
Supporters like activist Lena Mohamed called Fateh “a voice for the unseen.” The Frey campaign declined comment, while DFL leaders emphasized party unity ahead of the November 2026 election.
Fateh closed with a promise: “This campaign isn’t about making history—it’s about making change for every Minneapolitan struggling to call this city home.”
