Why are you running for mayor?

“I’m not running against anyone, I’m running for our city.

“Minneapolis is more than where I live. It’s part of who I am. I was born and raised just miles from here, I’m raising my three kids in this city, and I’ve spent my career fighting for justice, equity, safety, and opportunity for all of us.

“But right now, our city feels stuck. Too many people feel unsafe, unheard, and left behind. Government feels gridlocked and out of touch. It’s like watching tires spin in the snow, we need new leadership that can get us moving forward again.

“I’m running to bring bold, people-powered leadership to City Hall. I’ve worked as a public defender while in law school, a civil rights advocate, a CEO, and an educator. I’ve helped free the wrongfully convicted, co-founded a tech company to protect drivers’ rights, and partnered on affordable housing solutions. I know how to bring people together to solve big problems.

“This campaign is about building a Minneapolis that works for everyone, where our neighbors can afford to live, where workers and small businesses can thrive, and where public safety means everyone is truly safe, not just some of us.

“I’m running because I love this city. And I believe that with the right leadership, we can turn frustration into momentum and build a future we can all be proud of.”

As mayor, how will you advocate for immigrants and communities of color?

“Minneapolis must be a city where everyone, regardless of immigration status or race, feels safe, valued, and protected. As mayor, I will stand firmly against any policies or actions that threaten marginalized communities. I will ensure that Minneapolis continues to enforce the separation ordinance by refusing to use city resources for federal immigration enforcement. I will protect immigrant communities from unjust targeting, support access to city services regardless of immigration status, and amplify programs that help immigrants thrive, from legal support to economic opportunity.

“If and when federal authorities come to our city, we will ensure we are informed ahead of time and that our officers are present when necessary. We will also make sure that Minneapolis Police Officers are facing the right direction, protecting our residents and their rights.”

Should homeless encampments be allowed to exist in Minneapolis? When should the city clear homeless encampments?

“We should not accept a city where our neighbors are left exposed in encampments. The real question is not whether encampments should be allowed but whether we will allow people to live in unsafe, substandard conditions without helping lift them to better alternatives.

“We will not need to clear or sweep encampments because we will successfully create safe and adequate shelter or housing options and work quickly to help people move into them. The focus must be on making sure those alternatives are accessible, low barrier, and supportive of long-term stability.

“Housing first solutions with wrap around services in proximity will be my priority. That means expanding deeply affordable housing, increasing shelter capacity that truly meets needs, and strengthening services such as mental health care, substance use treatment, and job placement. The way forward is to address encampments through prevention, support, and housing, not through punishment or displacement.”

Do you agree with how the city handled its presence at the federal drug investigation on Lake Street in June, and how can Minneapolis improve its response in future incidents?

“The federal action on Lake Street brought trauma and fear to a portion of our city. Minneapolis must be better prepared and more transparent in situations like this. We need to be aware in advance when large armored vehicles are coming into our city, and there must be faster communication directly to city leaders, especially those in the neighborhoods most impacted.

“Our officers must be deployed to chaotic and unsafe scenes with their boots pointed in the correct direction and in line with our separation ordinance, which I believe should be expanded. When there is a drug or other criminal investigation that does not involve immigration enforcement, we should of course work in partnership with federal agencies. But that partnership must be focused only on the criminal cases, not on immigration enforcement or other activities that erode trust with our communities.”

Do you support the policing reforms in the recently abandoned federal consent decree against Minneapolis police? If yes, how should the city ensure these reforms are enacted?

“Yes, I support the policing reforms outlined in the proposed federal consent decree. The fact that the decree was abandoned does not erase the need for those reforms. Minneapolis is now in a position where the state of Minnesota has entered into an agreement with the city, while the federal government has stepped back. This creates a gap between state-level oversight and what the Department of Justice originally sought, and that gap must be bridged if we are going to restore trust and accountability.

“As mayor, I will work with the City Council to return to court and update our state-level agreement so that it reflects the necessary changes that align with the spirit of the federal reforms. I will also push for coordination between state and federal partners so that our city is not left with fragmented or inconsistent accountability. At the same time, I will ensure reforms such as improved use-of-force policies, expanded mental health response, stronger civilian oversight, and transparent discipline are fully implemented.

“We must set clear benchmarks, publish progress through a public dashboard, and hold leadership accountable for meeting the expectations of both residents and government at every level.”

How can the city make up for lost federal grants and revenue due to cuts from the Trump administration?

“To make up for lost federal grants, Minneapolis must start by protecting essentials. Public safety, housing stability, and core city services will remain the top priorities. That means pausing lower-priority projects, rephasing noncritical capital spending, and making sure one-time dollars are only used for one-time needs.

“At the same time, we must be aggressive in recovering every dollar possible. That includes pursuing all available federal and state grants, fixing application delays, and working with regional and nonprofit partners so Minneapolis never leaves money on the table.

“We also need to grow our local tax base by making it easier for small businesses to thrive. Faster permitting, revitalizing commercial corridors, and expanding access for local firms to win city contracts will help create more jobs and long-term revenue without raising tax rates.

“Another important step is reviewing cost-recovery tools to make sure fees reflect actual service costs, while still protecting low-income households. In addition, we can save millions by cutting waste, reducing overtime with smarter staffing, consolidating duplicative contracts, and digitizing services. And by investing in energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrades in city facilities, we can lower ongoing utility and maintenance costs, freeing up more resources for housing, safety, and neighborhood services.

“These are some of the ways we can close the gap, protect critical services, and build a stronger, more resilient city budget.”