A progressive member of the House “Squad” is openly criticizing her state party leadership for reversing its endorsement of a self-described democratic socialist for Minneapolis mayor.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., slammed the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL)—the Minnesota affiliate of the Democratic Party—late Thursday after it withdrew its support for state Sen. Omar Fateh.
DFL officials said the move was due to “substantial failures” in the endorsement convention process.
“It is inexcusable to overturn the DFL endorsement from Omar Fateh,” Omar wrote on X. “A small group, a majority living outside Minneapolis, met privately to overturn the will of Minneapolis delegates who volunteered, organized, and participated in a months-long DFL process. Unacceptable.”
The progressive lawmaker also joined other DFL officials in a letter condemning the decision.
“Right now, there is a clear tension between the progressive Democrats who are challenging the status quo and moderate Democrats,” Omar and other left-leaning officials wrote.
“It is extremely disheartening that Omar Fateh, the first Black mayoral candidate to be DFL-endorsed in the last three decades, will have his endorsement revoked.”
Omar has not publicly endorsed any candidate in the race, which is scheduled for November 2025.
Fateh first identified as a democratic socialist in a 2020 interview with Jacobin Magazine. He secured the DFL endorsement in July 2025, defeating several other Democratic hopefuls, including current Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who is seeking a third term.
Fateh’s political style has drawn comparisons to Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist running for mayor of New York City.
But DFL Party Chairman Richard Carlbom did not cite Fateh’s politics when announcing the revocation.
Omar and other progressives view the decision as a stark example of ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party.
“Chair Richard Carlbom campaigned on uniting the DFL; this decision directly runs counter to that effort, to which we are all committed. The DFL Party is a big-tent party and all factions should be fairly represented, not silenced,” Omar wrote.
“Undoubtedly, this appalling decision will leave many voters feeling discouraged and unwelcome from participating in our party.”
