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Frey Wins Third Term in Minneapolis as Somali-Language Victory Video Draws Conservative Criticism

The narrow ranked-choice win over state Sen. Omar Fateh underscores a continuing rift with the progressive-led City Council.

Overview

  • Final ranked-choice tabulation gave Jacob Frey 50.03% to Omar Fateh’s 44.37% after no candidate secured a first-round majority.
  • A video from a post-victory gathering showed Frey addressing Somali supporters in Somali, with clips circulated by Raad Media and journalist Yusuf Shire on TikTok.
  • Conservative commentators including Paul A. Szypula, Matt Walsh and Gerry Callahan denounced the Somali-language remarks in posts that spread widely on social media.
  • Fateh, a Somali-American state senator described as a democratic socialist, ran with backing from the Democratic Socialists of America and Rep. Ilhan Omar, while Frey was endorsed by Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
  • The campaign was shaped by a Minneapolis DFL convention that initially endorsed Fateh before rescinding the endorsement after a tally error, as progressives promoted a joint ‘Slate for Change.’