After a chaotic and controversial endorsement of State Sen. Omar Fateh for mayor in Minneapolis' DFL Convention in July, the party is reconsidering.
DFL Party Chairman Richard Carlbom released a statement Thursday afternoon saying the convention's rules and bylaws were not followed, and they are vacating the endorsement of Fateh.
“After a thoughtful and transparent review of the challenges, the Constitution, Bylaws & Rules Committee found substantial failures in the Minneapolis Convention’s voting process on July 19th, including an acknowledgement that a mayoral candidate was errantly eliminated from contention," says Carlbom. "As a result, the Constitution, Bylaws & Rules Committee has vacated the mayoral endorsement."
The results were challenged by current Mayor Jacob Frey. Fateh's endorsement came after more than nine hours during Saturday's party convention and there were several complaints that it was a flawed process, including from Frey.
Senator Fateh released a statement by video Thursday evening.
"Frey's team used every tactic they could, including delay and confusion on convention day because they didn't have the votes," Fateh said. "We see this for what it is, disenfranchisement of thousands of Minneapolis caucus-goers and the delegates who represented all of us on convention day. Let me be clear, we're still in this fight and we're going to win."
In a statement from the Frey campaign, the mayor is quoted saying he was glad the process used to endorse Fateh was set aside. He called the process "inaccurate and obviously flawed."
WCCO Political Analyst Blois Olson says going back to the convention, there were several issues that cropped up.
"One was the voting system. That was very tough for delegates to use," says Olson. "Then there was an inappropriate drop of a candidate because of the voting system. And then finally there was not quorum remaining at the convention when Omar Fateh was endorsed, only by a raise of ballot credentials or your name tag from the delegates. So multiple reasons that the state DFL has said that they've revoked the endorsement of Omar Fatah."
The party has also told the Minneapolis DFL that they are not permitted to hold another endorsing convention in 2025.
"So this changes what the party can do on behalf of Fateh for the rest of the election," says Olson. "And obviously, I think creates some deeper issues of trust between the Democratic socialists and traditional Democrats within the DFL."
It also means there won't be an endorsement in the race for mayor in Minneapolis.
"It means that the party cannot spend money on any mayoral candidate's behalf, where had Fateh kept the endorsement, they would have been able to use party resources for his campaign."
“Now it’s time to turn our focus to unity and our common goal: electing DFL leaders focused on making life more affordable for Minnesotans and holding Republicans accountable for the chaos and confusion they’ve unleashed on Minnesotans," adds Carlbom. “With an eye towards the 2026 midterms, the Minnesota DFL will broaden our coalition to elect leaders who will build an affordable economy that works for everyone.”
Other declared candidates include DeWayne Davis (DFL), the chaplain of the Minnesota Senate, Howard Dotson (Independent) who is a healthcare chaplain, Kevin Dwire (Socialist Workers), busissman Jazz Hampton (DFL), financial clearance representative Brenda Short (DFL) and Laverne Turner (Republican), a consultant and candidate for mayor in 2021.
A draft of the CBRC findings, facts, and conclusions can be viewed here. Final findings will be published on Friday.