Rep. Ilhan Omar, a prominent progressive House Democrat, accused her own Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) of acting ‘inexcusable’ after the party revoked its endorsement of state Sen. Omar Fateh, a self-described democratic socialist seeking the mayor’s office in Minneapolis. Omar condemned the DFL’s decision to overturn the endorsement, which had been granted after a months-long endorsement convention process involving Minneapolis delegates. The DFL cited ‘substantial failures’ in its endorsement process, according to reports, but Omar accused party leaders of disregarding the will of local delegates.
Other progressive members of the DFL, including Omar, issued a joint letter condemning the move, highlighting the growing divide within the party between progressive Democrats and moderates. The endorsement of Fateh, the first Black mayoral candidate to receive a DFL nod in three decades, was seen as a milestone for the party’s progressive wing. However, the decision to revoke the endorsement has sparked criticism, with Omar and others arguing it undermines the DFL’s unity and inclusivity.
Fateh, who has openly described himself as a ‘democratic socialist’ and previously been compared to New York City mayoral candidate Z. Zohran Mamdani, had defeated several other candidates, including current Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, to secure the endorsement. DFL Chairman Richard Carlbom, however, did not reference Fateh’s political ideology in the announcement of the revocation, raising questions about the broader motivation behind the decision. Omar and other left-wing members of the DFL are now framing the move as part of a larger pattern of internal party conflict, warning that it may discourage voter participation and alienate progressive voters.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Minnesota DFL for comment but did not hear back by press time. The revocation of the endorsement has also drawn broader attention to the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party, where progressive and moderate factions are increasingly at odds. Omar and her allies argue that the DFL’s actions, while ostensibly aimed at uniting the party, are instead deepening the rift and risking the party’s appeal to younger, more progressive voters.
The situation has also sparked debates about the role of party endorsements in local elections and the extent to which party leadership can override the will of local delegates. Critics of the DFL’s decision argue that the revocation of Fateh’s endorsement represents a broader trend of party leaders prioritizing ideological conformity over the preferences of local activists and voters. Omar and her supporters see this as a failure of the party to live up to its principles of inclusivity and representation.