Champlin Mayor Sabas Challenges Walz Over Minnesota Flag Redesign

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz faces pushback from Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas, who refuses to fly the state's redesigned flag from the 1980s. In a Fox News Digital interview, Sabas said the redesign process left citizens out and produced an ugly replacement.

Sabas, with nearly 10 years on the Champlin City Council and four years as mayor, said he never heard from more people on any issue than the flag. The new design, approved by a 13-member commission created by the Democratic-controlled legislature in 2023, has sparked debate in a state hit by a major fraud scandal involving the Somali immigrant community. Critics call it too simple and note its resemblance to Somalia's flag.

Sabas claimed a two-to-one majority favors the 1983 flag. Many see it as erasing history; others just find it ugly. He highlighted Champlin's $40,000 cost to replace flags and called on Walz and legislators to reopen the issue for a statewide vote.

"These are the people's flagpoles. This is the people's decision," Sabas said.

The old flag shows a blue field with the state seal, featuring a farmer and American Indian, the state motto and founding date. The new one has a dark shape for Minnesota, a light blue field and an eight-point North Star.

The Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission told legislators its design came from public input, a contest with over 2,500 entries and deliberations. It aimed to reflect Minnesota's people, land, water and history. Many residents disagree.

Champlin City Council voted in February to keep flying the old flag. Democrats in the legislature push a bill to cut state aid to a dozen towns and counties defying the change.

Sabas said Champlin can legally fly any flag or none. He lacks personal attachment to the old one but objects to the process. "Two years ago, the governor and the Democrats had full power of the House, Senate, and the governor’s seat. They chose to change the state flag, which they legally could do. But instead of bringing this to the House, through the Senate and all voting on it, they picked select members of a committee," he said.

Now, he told Walz and legislators to do it legally. Republican Sen. Mark Koran said the bipartisan commission represented just 13 percent of the population, favoring Native Americans, Hispanics, LGBT and other groups. "It was a process that reflected almost how all of Minnesota legislation has been implemented," he said. He called it an assault on working, legal U.S. Minnesotans.

City Council member Tim Huttner agreed on a statewide vote. He held a constituent roundtable where 100 percent backed the old flag. When asked his view, Huttner replied, "I don't have an opinion. I work for you."

Sabas, leading a nonpartisan purple city, said Walz listens to him. He challenged the governor in his final year to unite Republicans, Democrats and independents.