While New York City focuses on its own socialist mayoral candidate, a parallel political battle is unfolding in Minneapolis, one that a Republican congressional candidate believes deserves national attention. Dalia Al-Aqidi, running against Representative Ilhan Omar, argues the Minneapolis mayoral race mirrors the concerns raised by the New York contest, yet remains largely overlooked.
Al-Aqidi paints a picture of a city grappling with profound challenges. The aftermath of the 2020 riots still scars the urban landscape, coinciding with declining public school performance and a depleted police force. She warns that a victory for Omar Fateh, a Democratic Socialist candidate, will only exacerbate these issues, pushing Minneapolis further down a dangerous path.
The core of Al-Aqidi’s concern lies in what she describes as a coordinated effort by the Democratic Socialists of America to reshape Minneapolis. She claims Fateh’s policies are directly lifted from the platform of Zohran Mamdani in New York, and any criticism of those ideas is immediately met with accusations of racism, anti-Muslim sentiment, or xenophobia.
Al-Aqidi points to significant out-of-state funding flowing into Fateh’s campaign, questioning whether he truly represents the interests of Minneapolis voters. She describes his vision as one of expansive government control, proposing initiatives like government-run grocery stores that she believes will stifle small businesses and drive away investment.
A recent video ignited further controversy, showing Fateh waving a Somali state flag at a rally while addressing a crowd in both English and Somali. This act, Al-Aqidi argues, sends a troubling message about loyalty and integration, questioning what the reaction would be if an immigrant waved the flag of another nation.
As an Iraqi American immigrant herself, Al-Aqidi feels deeply affronted by Fateh’s actions. She emphasizes that embracing one’s heritage shouldn’t come at the expense of loyalty to one’s adopted country, a nation she believes offers refuge from the very policies Fateh seems intent on replicating.
Fateh’s platform centers on raising the minimum wage, expanding affordable housing, and addressing police violence through community-led alternatives. He also advocates for providing legal identification to undocumented immigrants, mirroring policies championed by Mamdani in New York.
The Minneapolis mayoral race, a ranked-choice contest, pits Fateh against incumbent Jacob Frey and other candidates. With strong support from the city’s large Somali community, Fateh has earned the moniker “the Mamdani of Minneapolis,” raising the stakes in a battle for the city’s future.
Al-Aqidi believes the election is a crucial test for Minneapolis, and a warning sign for the nation. She fears that Fateh’s vision will not only harm the city but also tarnish the reputation of immigrants who came to America seeking opportunity and freedom, not to recreate the conditions they fled.
