Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party for revoking its endorsement of mayoral candidate Omar Fateh, calling the decision “inexcusable” and highlighting divisions within the party.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, a prominent member of the progressive House “Squad,” expressed her outrage on Thursday night over the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s (DFL) decision to revoke its endorsement of Omar Fateh, a candidate for mayor of Minneapolis.
The DFL cited “substantial failures” in its endorsement convention process as the reason for the reversal. In response, Omar took to social media platform X, stating, “It is inexcusable to overturn the DFL endorsement from Omar Fateh.” She criticized the decision, emphasizing that it was made by a small group of individuals, many of whom do not reside in Minneapolis, who privately convened to override the will of local delegates who had participated in a lengthy endorsement process.
Omar’s condemnation of the DFL’s actions was not an isolated sentiment. She led a coalition of other DFL officials in a letter expressing their strong disapproval of the party’s decision. “Right now, there is a clear tension between the progressive Democrats who are challenging the status quo and moderate Democrats,” the letter stated. The group lamented that Fateh, who is the first Black mayoral candidate to receive DFL endorsement in nearly three decades, would have his endorsement rescinded.
Despite the turmoil, Omar has yet to publicly endorse any candidate in the upcoming mayoral race, which is scheduled for November 2025. Fateh, who identifies as a “democratic socialist,” secured the DFL endorsement after a competitive endorsing convention in July 2025, defeating several other Democratic hopefuls, including the current Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who is seeking a third term.
Fateh’s political stance has drawn comparisons to other democratic socialists, such as Zohran Mamdani, a candidate in New York City. However, DFL Party Chairman Richard Carlbom did not reference Fateh’s political ideology in his statement regarding the revocation of the endorsement.
Omar and other progressive leaders have framed the DFL’s decision as indicative of the ongoing rift within the Democratic Party. “Chair Richard Carlbom campaigned on uniting the DFL; this decision directly runs counter to that effort, to which we are all committed,” Omar remarked. She further asserted that the DFL should be a big-tent party that fairly represents all factions rather than silencing dissenting voices.
Omar concluded her remarks by expressing concern that the party’s decision would discourage and alienate many voters from engaging with the DFL. The Minnesota DFL was contacted for comment, but no response was received by press time.
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