Minnesota Mayor Challenges Governor Over State Flag Redesign, Calls for Public Vote

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:09:00 +0200

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing opposition from Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas over the state's recent flag redesign. The new flag, approved by a 13-member commission in 2023, features a simplified design with a dark shape representing Minnesota, a light blue field, and an eight-point North Star. Many residents, including Mayor Sabas, feel the process excluded public input and criticize the design as unattractive, with some even noting similarities to Somalia's flag. Sabas claims that at least a two-to-one majority in his city favors keeping the previous 1983 flag, which features the state seal with a farmer and Native American figure. Champlin has continued flying the old flag, arguing it is within legal rights to do so. Sabas urges Walz and the legislature to reopen the discussion and hold a statewide vote to allow citizens to decide. Republican lawmakers have echoed concerns about the flag redesign process, emphasizing that the committee represented only a small fraction of Minneso