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Minneapolis voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to choose their next mayor in a packed 15-candidate race that could make Omar Fateh the city’s first Somali-American mayor. Fateh, a 35-year-old state senator and democratic socialist, faces incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, whose two terms have been defined by debates over policing, housing, and equity following the 2020 George Floyd protests.
Fateh first made history in 2020 as Minnesota’s first Somali-American state senator. He’s now running for mayor on a progressive platform that focuses on affordable housing, rent control, and a $20 minimum wage by 2028. He also wants to shift some nonviolent emergency calls away from police and toward mental-health and community response teams. “We need a public safety model that meets people where they are,” Fateh said during a debate. “When we invest in housing and wages, we invest in safety.”
Fateh’s campaign gained early momentum in July when he won the Minneapolis Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) endorsement with over 60% of delegate votes. However, the party later revoked the endorsement, citing technical errors in its electronic voting system. The reversal angered Fateh’s supporters, who accused party leaders of protecting Frey, the centrist incumbent. Fateh called the move evidence of a divide between grassroots organizers and the political establishment.
The national press has compared Fateh to Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim democratic socialist and frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, calling Fateh the “Mamdani of the Midwest.” Both share similar goals—affordable housing, living wages, and community-based safety reforms.
Mayor Frey, 44, has campaigned on stability and recovery, pointing to a drop in shootings, revitalization of downtown, and progress on federal and state consent decrees mandating police reform. “Safety and reform are not mutually exclusive,” Frey said. “Minneapolis can do both.”
The next mayor will be responsible for carrying out reforms required by the Justice Department and state human rights investigations into racial bias and police misconduct. Those changes will overhaul training, accountability, and oversight systems. Under Frey, the city’s police force has grown from 550 to about 620 officers, though overtime costs remain high. Fateh argues that true safety means investing as much in community programs as in law enforcement.
Turnout from Somali and East African neighborhoods like Cedar-Riverside and Phillips could be decisive. These communities have become increasingly organized and see Fateh’s candidacy as a milestone in representation. “For many of us, seeing a Somali name on the ballot for mayor means our voice finally matters,” said community volunteer Abdirahman Warsame.
In the campaign’s final stretch, Fateh visited Somali-owned shops at 24 Somali Mall and spoke with voters at the Mill City Farmers Market, showcasing his diverse coalition of immigrants, students, and union activists. He has received support from Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, labor unions, and several city council members.
Minneapolis uses ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to rank up to three candidates. If no one wins a majority, the lowest candidates are eliminated and their votes redistributed until someone surpasses 50%. Officials expect results by Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how close the top contenders are. Fateh’s “Slate for Change” alliance with fellow progressives Jazz Hampton and DeWayne Davis could help him if voters rank them together.
Fateh’s campaign has also faced challenges, including Islamophobic vandalism at his office and online death threats, which police are investigating. Despite this, he says he remains undeterred. Frey, meanwhile, has the backing of state leaders such as Governor Tim Walz and strong financial support from business-aligned groups. More than 23,000 people have already voted early—one of the highest early turnouts in Minneapolis history. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.