Minneapolis is preparing for an important election as voters head to the polls on Tuesday to participate in the mayoral race and decide two state Senate vacancies. Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat and former two-term mayor who guided the city during the critical period following George Floyd’s murder, is seeking reelection against a crowded field of 15 candidates. His most prominent challenger is state Sen. Omar Fateh, a self-described democratic socialist, who aims to shift away from the current political norms.
Frey enters the election as the top fundraiser in the race and enjoys the support of significant political figures, including Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar. He also has backing from a political action committee that has funded ads targeting Fateh. Meanwhile, Fateh is invoking a message of change and appealing to voters in the Somali American community, leveraging endorsements from influential figures like Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Voters in Minneapolis will participate in ranked choice voting, a system implemented in 2009 that allows them to rank candidates by preference. This method continues the tradition of ensuring all voters’ voices are heard until a candidate emerges with the majority of support, fostering a more representative outcome.
In addition to the mayoral election, voters will also fill vacancies in two state Senate districts. The Democratic nominee for District 47, Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, won her nomination decisively and is running to fill a seat vacated by a former senator who resigned after a burglary conviction. Meanwhile, in District 29, Michael Holmstrom Jr., a Republican, faces Democrat Louis McNutt in a race prompted by the passing of long-serving Senator Bruce Anderson.
The elections also carry implications beyond the immediate races, particularly for the balance of power in the Minnesota state legislature, where Democrats currently hold a narrow majority.
Polling hours will conclude at 8 p.m. local time, and preliminary results are expected to be reported in a timely manner after voting ends. With significant registered voter turnout anticipated, which was approximately 54% in the 2021 mayoral election, the results from this election could set the tone for future political dynamics within the city and across the state.
As Minneapolis navigates these pivotal elections, the outcomes will reflect not only the city’s immediate governance but also potentially the broader political landscape as the community strives toward unity and progress in the coming years.