Sen. Omar Fateh announces candidacy for Minneapolis Mayor, says Frey is ‘failing’ residents

Minnesota Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis, has thrown his hat into the Minneapolis mayor’s race, campaigning against Mayor Jacob Frey who is seeking re-election.

Fateh was the first Somali American to serve in the state senate when he was elected in 2020.

The legislator announced his campaign at Minneapolis City Hall on Monday, leaning into his experience at the Capitol, which included spearheading legislation to fund free college for low-income Minnesotans and legalizing fentanyl test strips as a tool for preventing opioid overdoses.

“Serving in the Minnesota Senate, I’ve seen firsthand what a progressive legislator can do with the right executive. And as mayor, I’ll work with the progressive city council to achieve real wins for our neighbors and uplift those who are struggling to get by,” he said.

Fateh has also, perhaps most notably, pushed for legislation that set a minimum wage and protections for Uber and Lyft drivers statewide. The law went into effect Sunday.

At the city hall event, Uber driver and community organizer Youssef Omar celebrated Fateh and the new minimum wage.

“What stands out most about Omar’s leadership is his courage to take on powerful corporate interests. He stood firm against those who sought to undervalue our drivers and their contribution,” Youssef Omar said. “Instead, he championed fairness, ensuring drivers receive the wages and protection they need to thrive, and this is the kind of leader Minneapolis deserves.”

The legislation was first vetoed by Gov. Tim Walz in 2023, after Uber threatened to pull services from Greater Minnesota and surge prices in the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis City Council followed up with its own ordinance, which Frey vetoed.

Both Frey and Walz said they supported higher pay and protections, but had reservations with the specific plans. The final deal passed toward the end of the 2024 legislative session.

In a statement Frey Campaign Spokesman Sam Schulenberg welcomed Fateh to the race and said the campaign “looks forward to presenting voters with a clear choice between two contrasting visions for the future of Minneapolis.”

“Mayor Frey’s responsible leadership has helped the city recover while making critical progress toward rebuilding the police department, leading the nation in affordable housing, and supporting workers and local businesses,” the statement continued.

It goes on to point out Fateh’s previous support for the proposed 2021 charter amendment, which would have replaced the Minneapolis Police Department with a Department of Public Safety — and predicts Fateh would be “rubber-stamping the most extreme voices on the city council.”

Fateh cast the city’s progress in a different light, particularly for workers.

“It’s getting harder and harder to build their lives here in Minneapolis, and our mayor and the status quo are failing them,” he said. He added that “nothing really changed” since George Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, and he intends to bring “meaningful action” to that department.

The Minnesota Star Tribune also reported that the Rev. DeWayne Davis of Plymouth Congregational Church, is running for mayor and Minneapolis council Member Emily Koski has said she’s strongly considering a run. On social media, Koski announced a campaign party for Dec. 4, without specifying for which office she is running.