Minneapolis (WDN)- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has secured a third term following a fiercely contested race against State Senator Omar Fatah. The election was decided through the city’s ranked-choice voting system, after no candidate initially surpassed the 50% threshold.
Under the ranked-choice system, candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated in successive rounds, with voters’ second and third preferences redistributed until one contender secures a majority. Based on unofficial results released by the city, Frey captured 50.03% of the vote in the second and final round, compared to 44.37% for Fatah, clinching victory and securing another term as mayor.
Omar Fatah, a Minnesota state senator, mounted a strong challenge fueled by overwhelming support from Somali-American voters in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. His campaign energized the city’s Somali-American community and drew endorsements from a new generation of local leaders.
In a gracious concession statement, Fatah congratulated Frey and expressed gratitude to his supporters:
“They may have won this race, but we have changed the narrative about what kind of city Minneapolis can be,” he said.
As a legislator, Fatah has been instrumental in advancing progressive policies, including tuition-free college for working-class families under the North Star Promise program, $19 million in public safety funding for Minneapolis, a statewide goal of 100% clean energy by 2040, and fair pay for rideshare drivers.
Despite the outcome, Fatah’s spirited campaign has positioned him as a rising force not only in Minneapolis politics but also in Minnesota’s broader political landscape. His grassroots movement and progressive agenda have resonated beyond the city, marking him as an emerging voice in the state’s Democratic politics and a potential player in shaping the future direction of progressive leadership across the state and United States.
WardheerNews
