Overview
- Frey secured a third term through ranked-choice voting, defeating state Sen. Omar Fateh, who ran with backing from Rep. Ilhan Omar.
- In a widely shared clip, he spoke for nearly a minute in Somali, saying Minneapolis should feel like home to all and naming regions including Bosaso, Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe and Beledweyne.
- Conservative figures including Gerry Callahan, Paul Szypula and Matt Walsh condemned the speech, with posts on X calling it pandering and arguing elected officials should speak English in official addresses.
- Right-leaning outlets tied the moment to earlier campaign disputes, noting the DFL’s revocation of Fateh’s endorsement and prior controversy over a September Somali-language ad.
- Frey has not publicly responded to the latest criticism, and his reelection bid was supported by Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar.