Minnesota Report
As municipal elections near, critical decisions loom in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Voters should pay close attention to who is asking for their vote—and what their record actually shows.
Minneapolis: A Defining Race for the City’s Future
In Minneapolis, the race for mayor pits two-term incumbent Jacob Frey (DFL-Minneapolis) against State Senator Omar Fateh (DFL-62, Minneapolis), a candidate whose legitimacy is already under a cloud.
Fateh’s bid is tainted by serious irregularities. The State DFL Party took the rare step of revoking his endorsement after credible allegations surfaced regarding a deeply flawed delegate credentialing process and questionable vote tabulation. In a party that thrives on grassroots legitimacy, this kind of procedural malpractice is disqualifying.
Fateh is not just a candidate with technical issues—he is a torchbearer for the Democratic Socialists, a political faction that is not merely a wing of the Democratic Party, but an entirely separate ideology. This group actively seeks to dismantle core institutions, including law enforcement, capitalism, and the very idea of compromise politics. They may share a ballot line, but they do not share values with traditional Democrats.
This election now becomes a stark choice: Jewish mayor versus a Somali Muslim challenger who aligns himself with an insurgent political ideology. The racial and religious dynamics are unavoidable, especially considering that both candidates will seek support from constituents in and around the West Bank area—an ethnically diverse but politically fractured community.
St. Paul: Decline Under Carter, and a Crisis of Leadership
Across the river in St. Paul, two-term incumbent Melvin Carter III (DFL-St. Paul) faces mounting criticism for his stewardship of Minnesota’s Capitol city. The once-functioning city DFL is now in tatters, unable even to hold an endorsement convention. This collapse occurred on Carter’s watch, and it speaks volumes about his political management and coalition-building skills—or lack thereof.
The mayor now finds himself being challenged by multiple candidates, including State Rep Kaohly Her (DFL-64A)—a former staffer of Carter’s. That fact alone raises eyebrows. What did she witness or experience in his administration that led her to run against her former boss? Her candidacy is a strong signal, showing the lack of internal confidence in Carter’s leadership is crumbling.
Under Carter, St. Paul has faced more than just national crises like COVID-19 or the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. His tenure has seen a deepening of urban decay, especially in the downtown core. Beyond the small-scale pilot programs—such as eliminating library fines, launching a college scholarship fund, and experimenting with direct cash transfers—the city is struggling with real, tangible issues that Carter has failed to address:
- Rampant street crime and public drug use
- Closure of two major grocery stores, largely due to unchecked shoplifting
- Rising property taxes, which are driving both businesses and families out of the city
- Diminishing police presence amid whispers of potential cuts to public safety funding
Carter’s administration recently announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration—a convenient distraction and a predictable scapegoat. The truth is, if the city’s budget is this fragile, it is because Carter failed to plan for contingencies and relied too heavily on federal support without building resilient, local economic structures.
Even now, we hear that Carter may promise to hold the line on additional city levy increases, a position echoed by his opponent Yan Chen. But unless he can clearly identify cuts or growth strategies to offset this pledge, it rings hollow—yet another campaign talking point likely to be abandoned post-election.
The Stakes for St. Paul
What is at stake here is not just political control. It is the city’s future economic viability and livability. Property tax hikes are becoming untenable. Downtown St. Paul is no longer a magnet—it is becoming a deterrent. Businesses are closing. Families are leaving. And the people coming in are fewer and fewer.
The need for leadership that can do more than speak in platitudes or launch feel-good pilot programs. St. Paul needs a mayor who can restore safety, foster economic development, and bring real governance back to city hall—not another four years of avoidance and ideological posturing.
Conclusion
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul face pivotal mayoral contests. In both cities, incumbent mayors are being challenged—not just by political opponents, but by the consequences of situations in their communities. Voters should reject candidates like Omar Fateh, whose record is marred by procedural scandal and radical affiliations, and Melvin Carter, whose leadership has coincided with institutional decline, rising crime, and economic stagnation.
These elections are not just referenda on individual candidates—they are a referendum on the direction of the Twin Cities. Voter’s should not choose decline disguised as progress.