From First to Forefront: Omar Fateh’s DFL Endorsement for Minneapolis Mayor Marks a 25-Year Somali American Political Journey

Minneapolis, MN — July 20, 2025

In a moment both historic and symbolic, State Senator Omar Fateh has secured the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party endorsement for mayor of Minneapolis, becoming the first Somali American to do so. His victory is more than a political milestone; it is a generational culmination of a vision first championed 25 years ago by Mohamud Wardhere — the trailblazer who paved the way.

Fateh’s endorsement not only reshapes the political landscape of Minneapolis but also casts a bright spotlight on the long journey of Somali American civic participation in Minnesota. For many in the community, it is impossible to talk about this triumph without honoring the bold, historic run of Mohamud Wardhere in 2001, the first Somali American ever to run for elected office in Minnesota.

“Mohamud Wardhere ran when there was no playbook, no political infrastructure, and no established support system,” said Hashi Shafi, a local organizer and community leader. “He took that first step so others could run faster and farther.”

In 2001, just years after a wave of Somali immigrants began settling in Minnesota, Wardhere dared to dream what many considered unthinkable: running for mayor of Minneapolis. At a time when the Somali American community was still finding its footing in a new country, Wardhere’s candidacy sent a powerful message, that civic engagement was not just a right, but a responsibility.

“He made us believe that we belonged in the conversation,” said Senator Fateh in a statement following his endorsement. “His courage and vision inspired generations of Somali Americans to see themselves not just as voters, but as leaders.”

Wardhere’s campaign lacked the institutional backing that today’s candidates often rely on — there were no large donor networks, political consultants, or broad coalitions behind him. But what he did have was conviction: a belief that democracy thrives when all voices are heard, including those of new Americans.

Today, with the DFL’s endorsement in hand, Omar Fateh stands on that very foundation. Since being elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2020, Fateh has championed progressive policies on housing, education, and equity. His candidacy for mayor brings with it a new generation of leadership informed by grassroots activism and a deep connection to Minneapolis’s most diverse communities.

By Abdirahman Mukhtar, Tusmo Times Editor in chief