Did Fateh Max Out the Strategy? and More Election Thoughts

In an environment of historically high city election turnout, did the campaign of Sen Omar Fateh max out his strategy? or is there room to build on a repeat four years from now? We provide our big takeaways from this election, and assess arguments about what it means for our future work.

We recorded this episode on 11/19/25.

Don't forget to check out:

• Our Instagram account for clips that are easy to browse and share
• Cam's columns in Southside Pride
• Cam's writings in the 2nd Ward Blog

Data Points

Turnout History in Mpls Municipal Elections

• 2025: 147,356 - 55% (mayor) - Frey
• 2023: 78,960 - 32% (city council)
• 2021: 145,337 - 54% (mayor) - Frey
• 2017: 105,928 - 43% (mayor) - Frey
• 2013: 80,099 - 33% (mayor) - Betsy Hodges
• 2009: 45,968 - 20% (mayor) - Rybak basically unchallenged
• 2005: 70,987 - 30% (mayor) - Rybak last serious challenge

2025 RCV Tabulations

These were done using the Cast Voter Record (CSV) that can be found on the official Election Results page

Actual final result

• Frey: 73,723
• Fateh: 65,377
• Frey wins by 8,346

Hypothetical #1: all Fateh votes go to Davis

This is an unrealistic hypothetical

• Davis: 77,822
• Davis wins by 4,099 votes

Hypothetical #2: Fateh votes go to Davis, except the ones that obviously would not

This is a slightly less unrealistic hypothetical

• Davis: 67,968
• Davis loses by 5,755

Further Reading

Election Takes

• Fateh Campaign Manager Akhilesh Menawat post-election thread
• Wedge LIVE! Election Wrap-up
• John Edwards' Election post
• Susan Du and Jeff Hargeten make the argument pre-election that 'support in the affluent, high-turnout 13th Ward has proven key to victory': historical mayor maps, income, voter turnout
• Eric Roper post-election blame-the-left column
  • Brauer response thread

Election Data and Maps

• David Brauer data thread
• Tony Damiano data post (and associated bsky thread)
• Eric Prindle data thread on hypothetical RCV scenarios
• David Brauer "cross-tab" data thread speculating on apparent data overlap between city council and mayor votes
• Strib Maps and Data Viz article
• Susan Du and Jeff Hargeten data analysis piece, pre-election!: historical mayor maps, income, voter turnout
• 2021 Ballot Question maps at MN Reformer

The Rich Tried to Buy This Election

• Wedge LIVE! Election Wrap-up: source of the Josh Martin that there was "$5.4 mil spent between campaign and IE for/aganst candidate by pre-general"
• Strib pre-general campaign finance roundup
• Gary's Economics: YouTube channel making a clear and approachable argument about the super rich squeezing regular people out of housing, media, education, health ... and political participation.