MN Dems Strip Endorsement From Socialist Candidate In Minneapolis Mayor Race

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Democrats have withdrawn their party’s endorsement in the Minneapolis mayoral race, dealing a major setback to State Sen. Omar Fateh, a socialist candidate whose campaign has drawn national attention and comparisons to New York City’s Zohran Mamdani.

State party officials also placed the Minneapolis Democratic Party on two years’ probation, citing a history of chaotic conventions that in recent years have ended in disputes and even violence, according to the New York Times.

The Minneapolis mayoral election is scheduled for November, with no primary held beforehand.

The Minnesota DFL’s Constitution, Bylaws & Rules Committee (CBRC) said Thursday its review uncovered "substantial failures" in the July 19 Minneapolis convention, including the mistaken elimination of another candidate from endorsement consideration.

The findings cited problems with an online voting system and security lapses in delegate registration.

DFL Party Chairman Richard Carlbom said the move was necessary to correct an error and refocus the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

"Now it’s time to turn our focus to unity and our common goal: electing DFL leaders focused on making life more affordable for Minnesotans and holding Republicans accountable," Carlbom said.

Fateh, 35, who won the convention endorsement last month in a late-night floor vote, accused party leaders of undermining grassroots delegates.

“28 party insiders met privately and voted to overturn our endorsement,” Fateh wrote on X, pledging to stay in the race. "Let me be clear, we’re still in this fight. And we’re going to win." His campaign also launched a fundraising and volunteer drive in response to the ruling.

Mayor Jacob Frey, a two-term Democrat who filed a complaint about the convention process, welcomed the ruling.

"I am proud to be a member of a party that believes in correcting our mistakes, and I am glad that this inaccurate and obviously flawed process was set aside," he said in a statement on X.

Fateh, a Muslim legislator of Somali descent, has campaigned on policies similar to Mamdani's in New York, including restructuring public safety.

This is a breaking news story.