Mamdani-Like Mayoral Candidate Surges in Minneapolis, Sparking Conservative Backlash

The Mamdani effect that stunned New York City’s Democratic establishment is now rippling across the Midwest, where a strikingly similar candidate has surged to the front of the Minneapolis mayoral race.A Minnesota state senator, Omar Fateh, has rocketed to frontrunner status by championing a progressive agenda that mirrors the socialist policies that propelled the rise of the Democratic mayoral primary winner, Zohran Mamdani, in New York. Mr. Fateh, the son of Somali immigrants and a Muslim, is running on ideas that include hiking the minimum wage to $20, implementing strict rent controls, and severing all ties between local police and federal immigration agents.His campaign has prompted criticism from Republicans and MAGA devotees, including faith-based attacks mirroring some of those leveled at Mr. Mamdani during his groundbreaking mayoral campaign.A conservative pundit, Charlie Kirk, recently insinuated on X that Mr. Fateh’s mayoral bid is part of a broad conspiracy aimed at placing Muslims in government positions.“Muslims are commanded to take over the government in the land they live,” he wrote in a recent post. “The attempted Islamic takeover of America is made possible thanks to mass migration.”Rushing to Mr. Fateh’s defense have been Democrats and other left-leaning leaders including Minneapolis’s current mayor, Jacob Frey, who is seeking re-election.“Senator Omar Fateh is a proud American who is running because, like me, he loves Minneapolis,” Mt. Frey wrote on X. “I’m proud that Minneapolis is a place where he can run for mayor against me on his own merits – and that this kind of bigotry is widely rejected across our great city.”Minister DeWayne Davis, a progressive activist contending in the mayoral race, also defended his opponent.“Sen. Fateh, I’m so sorry you had to deal with this man’s hate today. I know how much you love this city, and I’m honored to be in the race with you,” he said on X.Mr. Fateh directly responded to Mr. Kirk’s comments, saying in a post on Bluesky, “Minneapolis is a beautifully diverse city that stands firm in our progressive values. The hate I’ve seen today – and most days – is not who we will ever be.”

Mamdani-Like Mayoral Candidate Surges in Minneapolis, Sparking Conservative Backlash

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