Who's Running for Minneapolis Mayor and City Council in 2025?

Who's Running for Minneapolis Mayor and City Council in 2025?

M Hasan    5:48 AM   

The upcoming November 4 election in Minneapolis is a pivotal moment for the city, as all 13 City Council seats and the mayor’s office will be up for grabs. This election marks an opportunity for residents to shape the future of their community through voting. Since 2009, Minneapolis has utilized ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. This system ensures that votes can still count toward another candidate if a voter's top choice is eliminated, making the process more inclusive and representative.

Key Dates to Remember

Voters should mark their calendars with important dates leading up to the election. The official candidate filing period runs from July 29 through August 12. Early voting is available from September 19 through November 3, giving residents ample time to cast their ballots. For those who prefer to vote by mail, the deadline to apply for a mailed ballot is October 28. Additionally, early voter registration must be completed by October 14.

Candidates Announced So Far

Several individuals have officially announced their intentions to run for office in the upcoming election. Here are some of the candidates who have taken this step:

• DeWayne Davis: A lead minister at Plymouth Congregational Church, Davis has extensive experience in public service, including working as a congressional staffer and serving as the former director of federal relations for Sallie Mae Inc. He was also the first Black gay person elected as chaplain of the Minnesota Senate and co-chaired Mayor Jacob Frey’s Minneapolis Community Safety Work Group.
• Howard Dotson: A health care chaplain and bereavement counselor, Dotson has served as an Urban Presbyterian pastor and police chaplain for multiple departments, most recently as a street chaplain in Minneapolis.
• Kevin Dwire: A hotel cook and long-time unionist, Dwire is a member of UNITE HERE Local 17 and the Socialist Workers Party.
• Omar Fateh: As the first Somali American to serve in the Minnesota Senate, Fateh is a self-identified democratic socialist. He has been endorsed by the Minneapolis DFL and lives in south Minneapolis.
• Jacob Frey: The incumbent mayor, Frey is seeking his third four-year term after being elected in 2017. Prior to his political career, he worked as an employment and civil rights attorney.
• Jazz Hampton: A husband, father, and community advocate, Hampton co-founded TurnSignl, an app connecting drivers with legal advice during traffic stops and after vehicle collisions.
• Brenda Short: Having experienced homelessness in the Twin Cities, Short is now a homeowner and advocate for affordable housing.
• Laverne Turner: A political consultant and community advocate, Turner focuses on restoring urban pride and combating black-on-black crime and gun violence.
• Elliott Payne: The current president of the City Council, Payne was elected in 2021 and has pushed for alternative responses to public safety issues.
• Brian Strahan: A researcher and small business owner, Strahan focuses on preserving the charm of Northeast homes while improving energy efficiency.
• Michael Baskins: A write-in candidate for Ward 2 in 2023, Baskins received about 33% of the vote and has expressed views on rent control and homeless encampments.
• Shelley Madore: A former DFL state legislator, Madore has spearheaded reforms in healthcare, transportation, and affordable housing.
• Robin Wonsley: The first Black democratic socialist on the City Council, Wonsley has worked on minimum wage and restorative justice initiatives.
• Marcus Mills: A small business owner and community leader, Mills has served on various commissions focused on neighborhood development.
• Michael Rainville: An incumbent council member, Rainville has worked in the hospitality industry and was endorsed by the Minneapolis DFL.
• Emilio César Rodríguez: Advocating for climate policy and immigrant rights, Rodriguez has been involved in movements such as Drivers’ Licenses for All and North STAR Act.
• Marvina Haynes: A community advocate, Haynes founded MN Wrongfully Convicted Judicial Reform after her brother was wrongfully convicted.
• LaTrisha Vetaw: An incumbent council member, Vetaw has worked on health policy and advocacy and was endorsed by the Minneapolis DFL.
• Ethrophic Burnett: A city employee and community organizer, Burnett has worked on violence prevention and neighborhood relations.
• Amber Frederick: A social worker and housing coordinator, Frederick has a background in disability advocacy and youth programs.
• Jovan Northington: A violence prevention program creator, Northington works in north Minneapolis and surrounding communities.
• Maurice Ward: Founder of JIIVE, Ward champions the voices of justice-impacted people and supports community reintegration.
• Pearll Warren: A spoken word artist and homeownership development manager, Warren works with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
• Miles Wilson: A community mediator and volunteer, Wilson has served on various boards and task forces.
• Anndrea Young: A community organizer, Young has worked on anti-displacement funding and coalition efforts.
• Mohamoud Hassan: A Somali-American activist, Hassan has run for local offices and is involved in community initiatives.
• Jamal Osman: The second Somali-American ever elected to the council, Osman has worked with organizations like Common Bond Communities and serves as a certified mental health trainer.
• Katie Cashman: An incumbent council member, Cashman has worked internationally and locally on environmental and social infrastructure projects.
• Elizabeth Shaffer: A Minneapolis park commissioner, Shaffer has been endorsed by the Minneapolis DFL.
• Josh Bassais: A former DFL party precinct chair, Bassais has organized with labor unions and neighborhood associations.
• Soren Stevenson: A former council member, Stevenson narrowly lost to Andrea Jenkins in 2023 and has worked on homeless shelters.
• Jason Chavez: An incumbent council member, Chavez served as a legislative aide before being elected in 2021.
• Dan Orban: A software developer and Ph.D. student, Orban has a background in technology and programming.
• Aisha Chughtai: An incumbent council member, Chughtai has worked on political campaigns and as a political organizer.
• Lydia Millard: Executive director for the Stevens Square Community Organization, Millard has experience in large-scale operations.
• Mariam Demello: A member of the Minneapolis Charter Commission, Demello has worked in the criminal and civil divisions of local offices.
• Jamison Whiting: A lawyer inspired by the events following George Floyd’s death, Whiting joined the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office to work on police reform.
• Aurin Chowdhury: An incumbent council member, Chowdhury has worked in grassroots organizing and policy development.
• Becka Thompson: A member of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Thompson has a background in education and the arts.
• Linea Palmisano: An incumbent council member, Palmisano has worked in education, technology, and community development.