Minneapolis faces a pivotal moment as a far-left candidate gains traction in the mayoral race. With echoes of New York’s socialist wave, voters must weigh the risks of his agenda against Minneapolis’s future stability.

Summary

• A Democratic socialist won the Minneapolis DFL endorsement for mayor, defeating incumbent Jacob Frey.
• His platform includes banning police cooperation with ICE, rent control, and a $20 minimum wage by 2028.
• Critics warn his policies mirror New York’s Zohran Mamdani, risking economic and safety concerns.
• Frey challenges the endorsement, citing irregularities in the voting process.
• The November ranked-choice election will decide Minneapolis’s direction.

Fateh’s Radical Vision for Minneapolis

On July 20, 2025, Minnesota State Senator Omar Fateh secured the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party’s endorsement for Minneapolis mayor, defeating two-term incumbent Jacob Frey. The Daily Caller reports that Fateh, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, campaigns on a platform banning Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), implementing rent stabilization, and raising the minimum wage to $20 by 2028. His policies echo those of Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s socialist mayoral nominee, raising alarms among conservatives about Minneapolis’s future.

“I am incredibly honored to be the DFL endorsed candidate for Minneapolis Mayor. This endorsement is a message that Minneapolis residents are done with broken promises, vetoes, and politics as usual. It’s a mandate to build a city that works for all of us,” Fateh wrote on X, celebrating his victory.

A Platform Alarming to Conservatives

Fateh’s agenda sparks concern for its potential to destabilize Minneapolis. His pledge to prohibit MPD from working with ICE, even during immigration raids, could undermine federal law enforcement efforts. “Protecting all of our communities from Donald Trump means not letting MPD interact with ICE, whether it’s for an immigration raid or not. Our residents deserve a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and say, ‘No, not in our community,’” Fateh said in a July 13 video on X. President Trump has warned that such interference could lead to legal consequences, a sentiment echoed by Border Czar Tom Homan, who cautioned against obstructing federal agents.

Fateh’s economic proposals, including rent control and a steep minimum wage hike, mirror Mamdani’s New York platform, which includes a $30 minimum wage and government-run grocery stores. Critics argue these policies could cripple small businesses and exacerbate Minneapolis’s affordability crisis. Former New York Giants player Carter Coughlin, a Minnesota native, voiced opposition on X: “In a city that has experienced unimaginable destruction and racial tension, these policies would send the city another 10 steps back. MPLS needs to be rebuilt, this will do the opposite.”

Echoes of Mamdani’s New York Win

Fateh’s rise draws comparisons to Zohran Mamdani, who stunned Democrats by winning New York City’s mayoral primary. Both candidates, young Muslim democratic socialists, advocate anti-police and pro-immigrant policies, fueling conservative fears of a broader leftist trend. The Washington Post notes that Fateh’s endorsement, like Mamdani’s victory, reflects growing progressive momentum in urban centers. Fateh’s campaign leverages similar grassroots tactics, with over 1,000 volunteers, and emphasizes affordability, claiming 47% of MPD calls could be diverted to non-police responses.

Frey’s Fight and Election Challenges

Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, a moderate Democrat who led Minneapolis through the George Floyd riots and the pandemic, criticized the DFL endorsement process as “irregular.” His campaign alleges issues with the online delegate voting system, noting only 578 votes were recorded despite over 1,000 delegates present. “This election should be decided by our entire city, not by a handful of delegates,” Frey’s spokesperson Sam Schulenberg told Fox News. Frey, who has clashed with the progressive City Council, remains a formidable candidate in the November ranked-choice election.

What’s at Stake for Minneapolis

Minneapolis’s mayoral race, set for November 4, 2025, could redefine the city’s trajectory. Fateh’s socialist vision, backed by groups like the Democratic Socialists of America, threatens to deepen divisions in a city still healing from 2020’s unrest, which caused $500 million in damages. Conservatives warn that his policies could deter investment and weaken public safety. As national attention grows, voters face a stark choice between progressive upheaval and pragmatic governance