Tim Walz endorses Jacob Frey for Minneapolis mayor over socialist Omar Fateh

Minnesota Democrat Gov. Tim Walz has endorsed incumbent Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for reelection. Frey, a Democrat, is running against socialist candidate Omar Fateh, a current state senator who has been compared to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

"Mayor Frey is a partner I can trust to actually deliver progressive policies that improve people's lives," said Walz. "Jacob has helped make Minneapolis a national leader on issues like housing, and I've been proud to work with him to deliver funding to hire more police officers and fight violent crime."

"I am proud to support Mayor Frey's reelection so that we can continue working together to move Minneapolis into the future," he said.

Frey is currently serving his second term as mayor following victories in 2017 and 2021. He was last re-elected after leading the city through the infamous Black Lives Matter riots of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Although unquestionably left-wing, Frey is seen as more mainstream Democrat than his opponent Fateh, a Somali Muslim who is part of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Fateh recently came under fire for a 2023 speech he made on the state Senate floor in which he compared GOP lawmakers to "terrorists" and said that white people are the biggest threat to America. He is running on a Democratic socialist platform that includes rent stabilization, raising the minimum wage, and abortion, according to his campaign website. Fateh's candidacy has garnered significant national attention.

Walz, former Vice President Kamala Harris's 2024 running mate, joins Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt in endorsing Frey. 

Frey welcomed Walz's endorsement, writing in a social media post, "Governor Walz has been a champion for the values that have made Minnesota a beacon of hope and national progress. I am honored to have his endorsement and grateful for his partnership in making Minneapolis a safer and more affordable city for all."

Alpha News reported that Frey and Walz had a brief falling out in 2020, accusing each other of waiting too long to take action against the BLM riots following the death of George Floyd, a repeat offender who died in Minneapolis police custody. 

The 2025 Minneapolis Mayoral election is scheduled for November 4.