### Jacob Frey Secures Third Term as Minneapolis Mayor Amidst Competitive Election - Jacob Frey, the incumbent mayor of Minneapolis, has successfully won a third term in office, defeating his main challenger, Omar Fateh, in a closely contested ranked-choice voting election. Frey, a mainstream Democrat, led Fateh, a democratic socialist, by approximately 10 percentage points after the initial round of counting. The election was notable for featuring a total of 15 candidates, with Fateh, the Rev. DeWayne Davis, and businessman Jazz Hampton forming a coalition to challenge Frey. This election also set a record for the highest voter turnout in a municipal election in Minneapolis history, reflecting heightened civic engagement in the city [https://apnews.com/article/jacob-frey-omar-fateh-minneapolis-mayor-e8d2d9ae7d0a12834c5c18a1648a92b6]. ### Breakdown of the Election Process and Results 1. **Election Format**: The Minneapolis mayoral race utilized ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to rank up to three candidates. This system is designed to ensure that a candidate must receive a majority of votes to win [https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-minneapolis-mayor-election-ranked-choice-25441f27268c86973bcf9e96b7fb41e1]. 2. **Initial Results**: On election night, no candidate achieved the required 50% threshold, prompting a second round of counting. Frey and Fateh emerged as the leading candidates, with Frey initially holding a significant lead [https://patch.com/minnesota/minneapolis/minneapolis-mayor-s-race-2025-live-election-results-frey-vs-fateh]. 3. **Final Outcome**: After two rounds of ranked-choice tabulation, Frey was declared the winner, officially securing his third term as mayor. The Associated Press confirmed Frey's victory shortly after the final count [https://thederrick.com/ap/washington/jacob-frey-wins-re-election-as-mayor-of-minneapolis/article_c75a1bfc-ccf4-5f98-82eb-6980f4a67aa3.html]. ### Key Data and Voter Engagement - **Voter Turnout**: The election set a record for the most votes cast in a municipal election in Minneapolis, indicating a significant increase in voter participation compared to previous years [https://apnews.com/article/jacob-frey-omar-fateh-minneapolis-mayor-e8d2d9ae7d0a12834c5c18a1648a92b6]. - **Candidate Landscape**: The election featured a diverse field of 15 candidates, highlighting a range of political ideologies and approaches to governance. Frey's victory over Fateh, who aimed to become the first Muslim and Somali American mayor of Minneapolis, underscores the competitive nature of the race [https://standard-journal.com/ap/national/article_6695ba70-4330-5267-914d-4424c34b0d31.html]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Frey's Victory - **Political Landscape**: Jacob Frey's re-election signifies a continued preference for mainstream Democratic leadership in Minneapolis, despite the rising influence of progressive candidates like Omar Fateh. This election reflects ongoing debates within the Democratic Party regarding the direction of urban governance in a city grappling with issues such as policing, crime, and homelessness [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/05/minneapolis-mayoral-election-results]. 1. **Frey's Leadership**: Frey's victory allows him to continue implementing his policies and initiatives, which have been shaped by the challenges faced during his previous terms. 2. **Future Challenges**: The election results may also indicate a need for Frey to address the concerns raised by progressive factions within the city, as they continue to advocate for significant reforms in various areas of governance. 3. **Civic Engagement**: The record voter turnout suggests a growing engagement among Minneapolis residents, which could influence future elections and policy discussions in the city [https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/minnesota-minneapolis-mayor-election-ranked-choice-l19195].