Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has won a third term after defeating democratic socialist Omar Fateh and 13 other candidates in the mayoral election. The ranked-choice voting system determined the outcome, with Frey securing 50.03% of the vote compared to Fateh’s 44.37%. Frey, a mainstream Democrat, overcame initial challenges from Fateh, who gained attention for policy proposals similar to New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani but ultimately failed to unseat the incumbent.
The city’s electoral process eliminated lower-ranked candidates in subsequent rounds, allowing Frey to secure victory despite not reaching the 50%-plus-one threshold in the first round. Fateh, a Democratic state senator and the first Somali American and Muslim to serve in the Minnesota state Senate, had been initially endorsed by the DFL but lost support after Frey contested the endorsement process.
Frey’s tenure has included controversial stances on policing and immigration, including pledges to protect undocumented immigrants and refuse to inquire about their status. The election highlighted deep divisions within the city’s political landscape, with Fateh’s campaign reflecting a broader push for progressive reforms.