Minnesota state Senator Omar Fateh, a self-identified democratic socialist, has announced his candidacy for the mayoral race in Minneapolis, securing the endorsement of the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party.
Fateh, who has drawn comparisons to New York City's socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, shared the news of his endorsement on social media, expressing his gratitude and interpreting the support as a clear signal from Minneapolis residents.
"I am incredibly honored to be the DFL endorsed candidate for Minneapolis Mayor," Fateh stated. "This endorsement is a message that Minneapolis residents are done with broken promises, vetoes, and politics as usual. Its a mandate to build a city that works for all of us."
According to Breitbart, Fateh holds the distinction of being the first Somali American and Muslim to serve in the Minnesota Senate. His political stance has not been without controversy, particularly his criticism of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), whom he labeled a "white supremacist" due to her opposition to taxpayer-funded college tuition for illegal immigrants.
In a June 2023 post, Boebert highlighted that illegal immigrants in Minnesota would "be eligible for free college tuition," a point Fateh acknowledged, noting the "declining enrollment on all campuses."
Breitbart also reported that Fateh played a role in advancing legislation to provide taxpayer-funded college and university tuition to illegal immigrants from families earning less than $80,000 annually. Fateh emphasized inclusivity in educational opportunities, stating, "We want to make sure that when were expanding opportunities for everybody, were doing it for all Minnesotans, regardless of background, regardless of their documentation status."
Fateh's mayoral campaign is built on promises to shield Minneapolis from what he describes as a "hostile White House" and to reform the city's public safety strategies. In a campaign video, he declared, "To make an affordable Minneapolis that works for everyone, we need a mayor that works as hard as you do. Im ready to work hard to, one, build a Minneapolis that working people can afford to call home; two, protect our city from a hostile White House; and three, diversify our citys public safety response."
Fateh's candidacy raises questions about the direction Minneapolis will take under his leadership, particularly in terms of immigration policy and public safety. His approach reflects a broader trend among progressive candidates seeking to reshape urban governance, challenging traditional political norms and advocating for policies that prioritize inclusivity and social equity.
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