Omar Fateh
omarfateh.org
The son of Somali immigrants, Fatah grew up near Washington, D.C., spent his summers in Minnesota and earned a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.
He said he was initially inspired to seek public office in Minnesota in part because of his work on the Hennepin County 2040 plan advisory committee.
Fateh said he thinks he’s the best candidate in Senate District 62 to “bridge the gap” between immigrant, nonimmigrant and indigenous communities.
Core tenets of his platform include a statewide $15 minimum wage, making mass transit free for everyone and creating an “opportunity center” in District 62 for students, youth and new immigrants.
He said his top priority would be increasing protections for renters through measures such as prohibiting landlords from evicting renters in winter and establishing a state emergency fund for tenants in dire situations.
He also wants the state to set a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030, divest state pensions from fossil fuel companies and fully fund public schools, free universal child care and no-cost higher education.
“I don’t think the money’s the issue,” he said, citing the state’s projected $1.3 billion budget surplus. “It’s more of whether or not we want to get this accomplished.”
Fateh’s previous political involvement has included helping with the Minneapolis Public Schools referendum campaigns, canvassing for City Council members and working with Neighborhoods Organizing for Change. He also worked for the state departments of revenue and transportation.
He plans to seek the Senate District 62 DFL party chapter’s nomination at its convention, slated for March 28 at South High School. He said he would abide by the endorsement.
This is Fateh’s third run for public office. In 2015, he ran unsuccessfully for the Fairfax County, Virginia, School Board, and in 2018, he finished third in the DFL primary in House District 62A, which includes Stevens Square and Whittier.
Fateh’s Senate campaign had $1,475 on hand at the end of 2019.