Protest Vote Over Gaza Reaches 19% Against Biden in Minnesota Primary

A grassroots campaign urging Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in protest of President Joe Biden's stance on Israel captured a sizable share of Minnesota's primary vote on Tuesday, even though it was put together quickly and on a small budget.

With more than 95% of ballots counted early Wednesday, "uncommitted" stood at 19%, a level that qualifies it to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The total of more than 45,000 protest votes pointed to unease over the president's approach to the war in the Gaza Strip that extends past Muslim Americans to progressives and younger voters.

Minnesota was one of several Super Tuesday states where Democrats voiced displeasure with Biden. In North Carolina, 12% of voters chose "no preference" with over 95% of the vote tallied, while in Massachusetts the option had 9% with nearly 80% counted. Last week in Michigan, more than 101,000 people, or 13% of voters, backed "uncommitted" and won at least two delegates.

The Biden campaign has sought to play down the movement. In a statement early Wednesday, spokesperson Lauren Hitt said the president "believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans," adding that he shares the goal of ending the violence and achieving "a just, lasting peace in the Middle East."

Organizers, a coalition of Muslim voters and progressive Democrats, began about a week before the primary, when early voting had already started, and said they spent roughly $20,000. Michigan's effort had three weeks and raised about $200,000, and it drew endorsements from figures such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib and a large Arab American community. "Our goal is to get the president's attention, and we are doing that," organizer Asma Mohammed told a Minneapolis watch party, where the crowd chanted "Free Palestine!" as totals climbed.

Minnesota's sizable Somali American population, progressives and late-deciding voters with a record of supporting unconventional candidates helped the campaign. The state elected Jesse Ventura governor, sent Al Franken to the Senate and backed Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary. Historical comparisons are limited: Barack Obama won Minnesota's caucuses in 2012, and in 2020 only 2,613 Minnesota Democrats chose "uncommitted." Rep. Dean Phillips, a Minnesota Democrat running a long-shot bid, took about 8% late Tuesday.

It is unclear whether the discontent will hurt Biden in November. In 2012, "uncommitted" won double-digit shares against Obama in Alabama, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee, but none of those had organized protest efforts, and none, unlike Michigan and Minnesota, were competitive in the general election. Supporters of the movement say it is influencing policy, noting the administration has recently voiced support for a cease-fire with greater urgency.

Voters echoed broader frustrations. Mudi Ali, 41, a Somali American Muslim who voted "uncommitted" in Minneapolis, said that beyond Gaza, Biden "hasn't done anything on jobs, gas prices and the border." He said he would not back likely Republican nominee Donald Trump but was weighing skipping the November election. Emma Kopplin, 21, a Macalester College senior, said Biden "needs to know Democrats aren't going to blindly support him."

Gov. Tim Walz, a top Biden ally, said "at the end of the day, Democrats are going to come home," framing the choice as "democracy versus totalitarian chaos." Charlie Fletty, 27, of Saint Paul, who also voted "uncommitted," countered that she wanted more policy achievements and fewer warnings about Trump. Even some Biden voters were lukewarm; Mike Roberts, 70, of Minneapolis, said, "I think he's too old," but added, "you can't change horses at this point."

As of 11 p.m., "uncommitted" was on track to win delegates from three congressional districts in and around the Twin Cities, in addition to statewide delegates. The threshold is 15%.