Rep. Ilhan Omar officially endorses Senator Omar Fateh in the Minneapolis mayoral race, highlighting his commitment to affordable housing, increased minimum wage, and efforts to end homelessness as key components of his progressive platform.
In a significant boost for his campaign, Rep. Ilhan Omar officially endorsed Senator Omar Fateh for the upcoming Minneapolis mayoral election. Speaking at a press conference in downtown Minneapolis, Rep. Omar expressed her support for Fateh, stating, “I am thrilled to be here, to endorse my friend, Senator Omar Fateh, to be the next mayor of Minneapolis. Our city deserves a fighter.”
During her speech, Omar emphasized the need for a leader committed to working families, highlighting Fateh’s plans to raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour, implement rent stabilization measures, and end homelessness. “No one working full time should struggle to call Minneapolis home,” she declared.
She criticized current leadership for failing to address community concerns, particularly in the face of national challenges, asserting, “We need a leader who is prepared to fight back with a strong line of defense.” Omar further noted that Minneapolis deserves a leader who won’t compromise on their values and who has a proven track record of tangible results in public safety and affordability.
In accepting the endorsement, Senator Fateh expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to progressive values. “This campaign is about flipping the priorities from the powerful few to the many who have been left behind,” he stated. Fateh criticized the current administration’s record, emphasizing the need for accountability and results. “Nearly eight years, two terms of broken promises. Minneapolis cannot afford for more,” he said, calling for real change in the city.
As part of his platform, Fateh is campaigning vigorously for affordable housing initiatives, increasing the minimum wage, and implementing strategies to end homelessness in Minneapolis.
As of mid-October 2025, the race for mayor is heating up, with recent polling data revealing support among likely voters: Jacob Frey (Incumbent) at 34%, Omar Fateh at 29%, DeWayne Davis at 10%, Jazz Hampton at 5%, and 17% undecided.
However, internal polling shared by the Fateh campaign indicates a closer race, showing Frey leading Fateh by a slim margin of 34% to 33%. In a ranked-choice voting scenario, Fateh is outperforming Frey with 49% to 42% across first, second, and third-choice votes, reflecting growing momentum among progressive voters.
In an interview with Somali Media of Minnesota, Rep. Ilhan Omar emphasized the need for new leadership in Minneapolis and believes Fateh is the right choice. “I would encourage Minneapolis residents to consider Omar Fateh in their election,” she stated, underscoring her faith in his ability to bring about meaningful change in the city.
