By: Minka Koskinen

Minnesotans have elected Jacob Frey as their Minneapolis mayor. Frey secured his third term with a 10% lead over Sen. Omar Fateh. He lacked the votes to win outright, however, as Minneapolis has ranked-choice voting.

Minneapolis has set a new voting record, as it is reported more than 147,000 residents voted, making it the most votes cast in a municipal election.

Frey also addressed the City Council, whom he has on multiple counts vetoed their proposals. Some of those proposals include setting minimum pay rates for drivers of Lyft and Uber (this did come into law through the Legislature), a pedestrian plaza, and an affordable housing right of first refusal ordinance. On Wednesday, Frey stated he wants to overcome the tension at City Hall and work with the City Council, which after elections has seen a restructuring.

Frey is not without past controversies. Frey’s administration worked to upend homeless camps, making efforts to clear them. The disruption of the camps has led to communities and families being dispersed and scattered. Those opposing Frey’s actions with the homeless have stated that resources used to bulldoze these communities should have instead been used to connect the communities with social workers, county workers and providers. Frey’s promise that he will end homelessness did not come to fruition, and it leaves one to wonder just how many of his new promises will be kept.

Frey’s leading opponent, Fateh, told his supporters Tuesday night, “We’ve waited eight years. We can wait for one more day.” Speaking to his supporters, he remained optimistic: “We stay proud because this campaign has already changed the conversation for what Minneapolis can be.” Fateh has been called “the Mamdani of Minneapolis,” in reference to Zohran Mamdani, who ran and won the mayoral election in New York City. While Fateh did not win the election, he still holds his Senate seat and has a large number of supporters.

Frey’s campaign promises include building over 12,000 new housing units “across the income spectrum,” reforms to public safety, guarding LGBTQ+ rights and standing up to the Trump administration.