DFL caucuses kick off Minneapolis election season
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This November's elections will determine who controls Minneapolis City Hall. Photo: Kyle Stokes/Axios
Minneapolis Democrats will caucus across the city Tuesday night to kick off the party's lengthy endorsement process in this year's elections for mayor, City Council and more.
Why it matters: The DFL party's support can be pivotal in Minneapolis races — and a major early organizing test candidates face is to get their supporters to show up for the drawn-out endorsement process.
What's happening: At Tuesday's precinct-level gatherings, residents will pick delegates to attend ward-level and citywide conventions later this year, where final endorsement decisions will be made.
State of play: Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey is vying against five challengers for the endorsement: State Sen. Omar Fateh, Council Member Emily Koski, the Rev. DeWayne Davis, Jazz Hampton and Brenda Short.
- All 13 City Council seats are also on the November ballot.
The big picture: Left-wing groups are hoping to build on a successful 2023 election that emboldened Frey's critics on the City Council, giving them the votes to rewrite the budget and enact other priorities without the mayor's support.
- Frey has pitched himself and his council allies as practical moderates more interested in delivering on core services than ideologically driven "messaging" legislation.
Reality check: The Minneapolis DFL's support isn't make-or-break.
- The party hasn't endorsed in a contested mayoral race since 1979. Frey wasn't even the top finisher in the endorsement process four years ago.
Plus: Independent political action committees spend far more money boosting candidates.
- There's Minneapolis for the Many, which helped pave the way for the current council majority, or the Frey-aligned All of Mpls and We Love Minneapolis.
Yes, but: In the DFL stronghold of Minneapolis, access to the party's brand and infrastructure can be crucial, especially in council races.
- Eight of the nine candidates who earned DFL endorsements went on to win their 2023 council race — a better record than either of the biggest-spending PACs.
What we're watching: Minneapolis for the Many — the PAC working to unseat Frey — on Monday "recommended" Fateh, Davis or Koski for mayor.
- Fateh is emerging as a left-wing favorite in the race, having also earned key endorsements from organizing powerhouse TakeAction Minnesota and the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
What's next: Ward conventions begin April 26 and run through late May.
- The citywide DFL convention — where delegates will consider endorsements for mayor, park board and the Board of Estimate and Taxation — is July 19-20.
Go deeper: Who's running for mayor and council.