Minneapolis Candidates: Views on Public Safety
Values & Vision coverage has been made possible by Vote Run Lead, which unleashes the political power of women as voters, candidates, and leaders to create and sustain an equitable democracy.
We believe there is no question more pressing to the November 2021 city elections in Minneapolis than candidate and voter viewpoints about public safety: how police and violence prevention programs are funded, and to what extent community members have a voice in how to improve on safety and public health.
Stress caused by violence in and out of the home (as well as being low-income in an increasingly expensive city), responses to gender-based violence and mental health crises, and long-standing incarceration of substance use rather than treatment have led to schisms in the way voters feel the city represents their needs.
Additionally, the prevalence of guns has led to an uptick in violent crimes nationwide. We have been keeping track of those incidents in Minneapolis, particularly North Minneapolis, where our office is located. You can find that growing list here.
These are not new issues. The question in November is: How do most Minneapolis voters want to see transformation happen?
A Department of Public Safety has been proposed as part of a YES 4 Minneapolis amendment campaign. This kind of department exists in nearby communities such as Plymouth, Maplewood, and Richfield.
We asked freelance journalist Cirien Saadeh to compile responses from Minneapolis City Council candidates about public safety. Here is what they told us, unedited. We are updating with news responses in the order they are received.
Minneapolis Mayor (those who have responded)
Ward 1
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Thomas E Wortman
- Calvin L Carpenter
Ward 2
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Yusra Arab
- Guy T Gaskin
- Cam Gordon
Ward 3
Candidates who responded
Candidates who have not responded:
- Steve Fletcher
- Hope Hennessey
- Merv Moorhead
Ward 4
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- LaTrisha Vetaw
Ward 5
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Suleiman Isse
- Victor Martinez
- Kristel Porter
- James Seymour
Ward 6
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Jamal Osman
Ward 7
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- none
Ward 8
Candidates who have not responded:
- Andrea Jenkins
- Robert “Bob” Sullentrop
Ward 9
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Jon Denison
- Yussuf Haji
- Carmen Means
- Ross Tenneson
Ward 10
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Ubah Nur
- David Wheeler
Ward 11
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- none
Ward 12
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Andrew Johnson
- David Rosenfield
Ward 13
Candidates who responded:
Candidates who have not responded:
- Bob Reuer
- Ken Salway
