Minnesota DFL probes Minneapolis DFL mailers amid Fateh endorsement dispute
Following a contentious review that saw the Minnesota DFL State Executive Committee vote 40–7 to uphold the revocation of Sen. Omar Fateh’s Minneapolis mayoral endorsement and form a subcommittee to ensure convention compliance, the party has opened an investigation into postcards mailed by the Minneapolis DFL that featured Fateh. A complaint to the DFL’s Constitution, Rules and Bylaws Committee alleges the mailer contradicted the party’s retraction, while Minneapolis DFL says the postcards were delivered to its printer before a leaked draft ruling and bulk-mail delays explain late arrival; party leaders cited a “substantially flawed” first ballot and complications after the convention operator suffered a stroke, and Hennepin County judges previously fined Fateh’s campaign $500 for using the endorsement logo after it was rescinded.
📌 Key Facts
- On Sept. 29, 2025, the Minnesota DFL State Executive Committee voted 40-7 to uphold the revocation of Sen. Omar Fateh’s Minneapolis mayoral endorsement.
- CBRC co-chair Tim O’Brien said the first mayoral ballot was “substantially flawed,” a key rationale reaffirming the endorsement revocation.
- Party leaders also voted to form a subcommittee to ensure the Minneapolis DFL complies with convention policies going forward.
- Minneapolis DFL chair John Maraist said the convention’s main operator suffered a stroke, which complicated operations and record-keeping during the convention.
- On Oct. 7, 2025, the Minnesota DFL launched an investigation into postcards mailed by the Minneapolis DFL that featured Omar Fateh after a complaint to the party’s Constitution, Rules, and Bylaws Committee alleged the postcard contradicted the DFL’s retraction of Fateh’s endorsement.
- The Minneapolis DFL says the mailer was delivered to the printer for mailing before the CRBC’s draft ruling was leaked; the postcards were sent via bulk mail, which can delay delivery and help explain why some arrived after the CRBC ruling.
- Hennepin County administrative judges previously fined Fateh’s campaign $500 for distributing yard signs that used the DFL endorsement logo after the endorsement was rescinded.
📚 Contextual Background
- Minnesota has the largest population of Somalis in the United States.
📰 Sources (3)
- Minnesota DFL has launched an investigation into postcards mailed by the Minneapolis DFL that featured Omar Fateh.
- A complaint to the DFL's Constitution, Rules, and Bylaws Committee alleges the postcard contradicted the party's retraction of Fateh's endorsement; Minneapolis DFL says the mailer was delivered for mailing by its printer before the CRBC leaked its draft ruling.
- The mailers were sent via bulk mail, which can result in slower delivery and explain why some postcards arrived after the CRBC ruling.
- Hennepin County administrative judges previously fined Fateh's campaign $500 for distributing yard signs that used the DFL endorsement logo after the endorsement was rescinded.
- The Minnesota DFL State Executive Committee voted 40-7 to uphold the revocation of Sen. Omar Fateh’s Minneapolis mayoral endorsement.
- Party leaders also voted to form a subcommittee to ensure the Minneapolis DFL complies with convention policies going forward.
- Minneapolis DFL chair John Maraist said the convention’s main operator suffered a stroke, complicating operations and record-keeping.
- CBRC co-chair Tim O’Brien stated the first mayoral ballot was 'substantially flawed,' reaffirming the basis for revocation.