Minneapolis Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey has defeated Omar Fateh and thirteen other candidates in the city’s latest ranked-choice voting election. This victory marks Frey’s third term as mayor, with a margin of about 10 percentage points. He was unable to secure a win in the first round, as he did not reach the required 50% of the votes.
In Minneapolis, the ranked-choice voting system eliminates candidates with the fewest votes after each round until someone surpasses the necessary threshold. This method was the same used in Frey’s previous win in 2021.
Frey is considered a mainstream Democrat. Fateh, on the other hand, is a democratic socialist and has aspirations to be the first Muslim and Somali American mayor in a city known for its large Somali community. Fateh’s strategy focused on collaboration with fellow candidates like Rev. DeWayne Davis and businessman Jazz Hampton, promoting a voting alliance that encouraged supporters to rank each other over Frey.
Frey’s leadership has been pivotal, especially following the unrest after George Floyd’s tragic death in 2020. His administration worked to reform the city’s police department, which faced significant challenges and personnel losses in the aftermath.
This election saw a historic turnout, with over 147,000 votes cast, representing a 55% turnout rate among registered voters. This is a slight increase from the previous record of 54% in 2021, highlighting the growing engagement of the community in local governance.
In a notable parallel, in St. Paul, just across the river, Democratic state Rep. Kaohly Her emerged victorious against incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter. Her’s win is historic as she will be the first woman and first Hmong American mayor of the state’s capital, joining an all-female City Council.
Such results reflect changing tides in local politics. Scholars note that these elections signal a growing trend of diversity and representation in leadership roles across the U.S. More voters are supporting candidates who reflect their own backgrounds and experiences. As this trend continues, it may reshape the future of governance in cities across the nation.
For an in-depth look at the impact of ranked-choice voting, check out this NASS report which details its effects on voter turnout and satisfaction.
