Will the Minneapolis DFL endorse a democratic socialist for mayor? It could happen Saturday.

The Minneapolis DFL convention will bring state Sen. Omar Fateh against two-term Mayor Jacob Frey as they vie for the party's endorsement ahead of the November mayoral election. Over 1,000 party activists will convene at Target Center, where 800 delegates will vote on endorsements, needing 60% support to secure an endorsement. Since 1997, only one candidate has received the endorsement, making it a coveted yet challenging goal. The compressed convention schedule raises doubts about whether an endorsement will be achieved this year.

Fateh, a democratic socialist, advocates for progressive policies such as tuition-free college and a $20 minimum wage by 2028, while Frey’s campaign manager notes that Frey traditionally performs better with a larger electorate than the convention delegates. The ideological clash between the candidates reflects growing tensions within the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party as democratic socialism gains traction. Former Frey campaign manager Joe Radinovich emphasizes the importance of the convention outcome, noting that an endorsement would mark a significant shift given Frey's previous successes. The party's endorsement could greatly influence campaign resources and voter engagement in the heavily Democratic Minneapolis landscape.