Minnesota DFL Revokes Omar Fateh Endorsement Amid Voting Flaws, Ilhan Omar Condemns

Rep. Ilhan Omar and more than a dozen Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor (DFL) officials strongly condemned the state party's decision to revoke the endorsement of progressive state Sen. Omar Fateh for Minneapolis mayor. Fateh had originally won the DFL endorsement over incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey amid a chaotic convention marred by electronic voting malfunctions, and the party's Constitution, Bylaws & Rules Committee cited substantial failures in the voting process, including uncounted ballots, as the reason for rescinding Fateh's endorsement. Omar and her allies called the reversal "inexcusable" and warned it sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the will of delegates and deepens the divide between progressive and moderate Democrats within the party. They criticized the decision as damaging to Democratic unity and voter engagement, particularly in Minneapolis, a key Democratic stronghold, and condemned new DFL Chair Richard Carlbom for making a move that contradicts his promise to unite the party. The controversy highlights tensions in the DFL as democratic socialist candidates like Fateh gain momentum nationally, with Omar's statement emphasizing the need to respect grassroots processes and the voices of local party activists. Fateh’s access to party resources will now be open to all candidates, potentially weakening his campaign against Frey.