Omar Fateh
DemocraticQ1 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“On issues such as climate justice, resisting corporate polluters, and ways the State can better honor and uphold Treaties, I will always follow the leadership of our environmental advocates, research scientists, Indigenous elders and Tribal leadership. On the pressing issues of our time such as pipelines, data centers, copper nickel sulfide mining, a just transition, and energy, I will listen to researchers, scientists, and community leaders in confronting the climate crisis that threatens all of, and follow the leadership of Indigenous community leaders that are fighting climate disaster and environmental racism.”
KEYWORDS: climate crisis / climate justice / environmental advocates
Q2 Recently H.J. Res 140 passed, overturning a 20-year mining ban in the National Forest System land surrounding the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. What is your position on mining projects in this region and what policies, if any, would you support to protect the surrounding watershed?
“At a time when the federal government is actively rolling back key environmental protections, it is incumbent upon elected leaders in our State Legislature to take urgent measures and act to protect our watersheds, especially the Boundary Waters, from the threats of toxic mining. Our government should also be forward thinking and take action to ensure that we pass legislation to bring about environmental safeguards and clean water protections: implementing stringent regulations to curb heavy pollution from industry into our groundwater and watersheds, and protecting clean water for future generations to come.
I am proudly endorsed by countless environmental advocacy organizations that work tirelessly to advance clean water protections and champion the preservation of our environment. If re-elected, I will continue to support the brilliant policies brought forward by my colleagues including Prove It First, the Bad Actor Bill, Permanent Protection Bill, Amortization Bill, and the LCCMR / ENRTF package – all legislation that protects our boundary waters and watersheds from pollution and destruction.”
KEYWORDS: take action / permanent protection / protection
Q3 Contamination from PFAS and other “forever chemicals” in 21 community water systems in Minnesota exceed national regulations, putting residents at risk of negative health impacts. What policies, if any, do you propose to protect Minnesota residents from the potential impacts of PFAS?
“PFAS is arguably the most dangerous threat to our water and health across the globe. My office will work to protect Amara’s Law: the nation’s most comprehensive ban on PFAS, and protect the current definition of PFAS in Minnesota state statute: “‘Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances’ or ‘PFAS’ means a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.”
I will support legislation which would expand upon Amara’s Law to protect our soil, groundwater, and drinking water from further PFAS contamination?
The chemical industry wants many consumer items exempt from Amara’s Law, but I will support protecting current PFAS bans and regulations amidst the onslaught of corporate attempts to receive carve-outs in future sessions.”
KEYWORDS: Amara’s Law / ban / regulations
Q4 There have been multiple hyperscale data centers proposed throughout the state, including one currently under construction. What policies and regulations, if any, do you support to assess and act on the potential impacts of these data centers?
“Across the political spectrum, regardless of background or geography, Minnesotans across our state are standing up and saying no to hyper-scale data centers in our backyards. These large hyper-scale projects could prove devastating to the health and wellbeing of our people, ecosystems, energy grid, and watersheds. I am in full support Sen. Jen McEwen’s hyper-scale data center moratorium legislation (a two-year pause) she authored this legislative session, and hope to pass similar legislation next session.
We must follow in the footsteps of states like New York and pass a temporary pause / data center moratorium to allow time for our state government to conduct adequate environmental impact studies and set forth strong regulations regarding data centers. In Minneapolis, we have had many local debates over data center developments. There have been countless concerns raised about the environmental and community impact of massive facilities, and our Minneapolis City Council approved a six-month moratorium on new data center development, with exceptions for smaller downtown projects.”
KEYWORDS: environmental impact / strong regulations / moratorium
Q5 In 2025 alone, the National Institute on Health (NIH) awarded over $700 million for research grants and contracts to Minnesota universities, which directly supported over 7,000 jobs and $1.79 billion of economic activity in Minnesota. What policies, if any, do you plan to implement or support regarding funding for continued science research either at the state or federal level?
“As Chair of the Minnesota Senate Higher Education Committee, I oversee state funding appropriations for universities and public research systems in Minnesota. I have been a vocal proponent of public research funding, particularly in the wake of federal grant disruptions and cuts affecting the University of Minnesota.
My office spearheaded Senate omnibus legislation to allocate billions to Minnesota’s higher education and research sectors, specifically defending state special funds designated for the University of Minnesota’s academic research and biological collections, public health research, environmental science, conservation efforts, and initiatives like the Minnesota Geological Survey, which rely on state legislative appropriations to study water, minerals, and land use.
I oppose federal grant cuts (such as NIH grant rollbacks) and federal rule changes that threaten merit-based science. We must reversing these cuts to protect and fully fund local medical studies, jobs, and scientific discovery.”
KEYWORDS: legislative appropriations / public health / fully fund
Q6 Fatal drug overdoses in Minnesota have significantly declined in recent years, representing a 28% drop from a record peak of 1,392 overdose deaths in 2022. However, compared to White Minnesotans, Indigenous Minnesotans are 7 to 15 times more likely to experience a fatal drug overdose, while Black Minnesotans are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from a drug-related overdose. What policies, if any, do you support to continue the downward trend of overdose deaths for Minnesotans?
“I have been a prominent advocate for overdose prevention, including authoring 2021 state legislation that successfully decriminalized fentanyl test strips in Minnesota. I have consistently used my platform to advocate for harm-reduction strategies such as legislative action & advocacy
My bill to exempt fentanyl test strips from drug paraphernalia laws was credited with allowing community organizations to distribute over 100,000 strips to help users identify potentially lethal drugs and take overdose-prevention measures. I have frequently spoken out about the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis, particularly the dangers of fentanyl flooding the state, and next session we must continue to push for wider access to life-saving overdose medications like naloxone.”
KEYWORDS: prevention / advocacy / harm-reduction