High-stakes DFL convention could reshape Minneapolis mayor's race
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From left, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and challengers Jazz Hampton, DeWayne Davis and state Sen. Omar Fateh. Photos: Kyle Stokes/Axios and courtesy of the Hampton and Davis campaigns
Minneapolis DFL Party members will decide Saturday whether to make a crucial endorsement in this year's race for mayor.
Why it matters: The party's backing confers progressive street cred and exclusive access to the Democratic Party's coveted voter database to candidates trying to win over a deep-blue city.
State of play: Five mayoral candidates, including incumbent Jacob Frey, are seeking the party's backing at this weekend's citywide convention.
- Frey and state Sen. Omar Fateh enter the convention with the two largest groups of committed delegates, followed by DeWayne Davis and Jazz Hampton.
- Brenda Short is also seeking the party's support.
Reality check: Minneapolis DFL Party members haven't endorsed in a contested mayor's race in decades.
What we're watching: Whether Frey's opponents unite behind a single candidate — the most probable scenario for any candidate to reach the 60% endorsement threshold.
- Fateh, a democratic socialist, has emerged as a favorite of the party's left wing against the more moderate Frey — but Fateh would likely need Davis or Hampton to drop out in order to secure the votes he needs.
What they're saying: Frey expects Fateh to receive more delegates' support tomorrow, the mayor's campaign manager, Sam Schulenberg, told Axios.
- He also pointed out Frey, running for his third term, finished second at both the 2017 and 2021 conventions before winning in November.
The intrigue: What it will cost
A last-minute move to Target Center will make this year's convention unusually expensive for attendees.
Minneapolis DFL chair John Maraist told Axios the costs stem from venue rules and the need for tighter security after deadly attacks against two Democratic state lawmakers last month.
- After learning earlier this year that North High School's auditorium couldn't accommodate them, party officials explored venues at the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis Convention Center.
- After the shootings, they concluded only Target Center offered enough security.
Zoom in: Target Center forbids outside food, so many attendees will have to buy concessions at typical arena food prices.
- Kosher and halal meals will cost more, hence the $70 pastrami sandwich and $55 single chicken kebab meal.
- Donors have since promised to help defray those costs, Maraist said.
Inside the room: Mayoral candidates — used to paying nominal rental fees for party conventions — were floored by the $1,100 cost to reserve one folding table, with suites commanding higher prices.
Between the lines: The costs also put a fine point on longstanding gripes among some Minneapolis politicos that the party's endorsement process excludes anyone without the schedule flexibility to attend all-day/all-night political gatherings.
- With North High out, they'll also need to pay for parking, transit or a rideshare downtown.
What's next: The convention is set to gavel in at 10am Saturday.