Minneapolis, United States — In a race that captured national attention, Somali-American State Senator Omar Fateh conceded defeat to incumbent Jacob Frey on Wednesday, closing a historic chapter in Minneapolis politics. Though the outcome fell short of victory, Fateh’s spirited campaign reshaped conversations around affordability, workers’ rights, and inclusion in one of America’s most diverse cities.
Frey secured his third term after the second round of counting under the city’s ranked-choice voting system, buoyed by strong support from moderates and business-friendly voters. Yet, for many residents, it was Fateh’s progressive message and grassroots energy that defined this election cycle. His campaign drew record engagement from young people, immigrant families, and working-class neighborhoods who saw in him a reflection of their own stories and struggles.
For the Somali community — the largest in the United States — Fateh’s candidacy was deeply symbolic. His rise from a community organizer to state senator, and now a serious contender for mayor, embodied the steady political awakening of new Americans determined to have a voice in shaping the future of their city. A win would have made him Minneapolis’s first Muslim, first Somali-American, and first democratic socialist mayor — milestones that underscored both his movement’s ambition and the community’s growing influence.
Even in defeat, Fateh’s campaign left a clear imprint. His push for rent stabilization, expanded workers’ protections, and greater equity in public services forced broader debates among city leaders and residents alike. Many supporters say those ideas will continue to shape Minneapolis’s political landscape long after the ballots are counted.
As the city looks ahead, Fateh’s run will be remembered not just for what it almost achieved, but for how it redefined who gets to imagine — and lead — the future of Minneapolis.