A mayoral election was held on November 2, 2021, to elect the mayor of the U.S. city of Minneapolis. Incumbent DFL mayor Jacob Frey won reelection to a second term, becoming the first Minneapolis mayor to win a second term since R. T. Rybak in 2005. Minneapolis mayoral elections use instant-runoff voting, also known as ranked-choice voting. All candidates appear on the same ballot and there is no primary election, nor is there a runoff. Minneapolis's twin city, Saint Paul, also held a mayoral election on the same day, using the same system.
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First preference votes by ward Frey: 30–34% 35–39% 40–44% 45–49% 50–54% 55–59% 60–64% Nezhad: 30–34% 35–39% 40–44% 45–49% 50–54% Knuth: 30–34% Awed: 40–44% 55–59% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The election came in the wake of a tumultuous period for Minneapolis, deeply affected by the murder of George Floyd and subsequent civil unrest.[2] Frey's campaign faced challenges from a crowded field of candidates, including former state Representative Kate Knuth and community organizer Sheila Nezhad. Both Knuth and Nezhad aligned with more progressive factions within the DFL and advocated for policing reforms and formed an alliance urging their supporters to rank them as their top choices and exclude Frey from their preferences.[3][4]
The election also featured discussions on issues such as affordable housing, climate change, and economic recovery post-COVID-19 lockdowns.[5]
Background
edit2017 election
editFrey announced his candidacy for mayor of Minneapolis on January 3, 2017,[6] and won the November 7 election.[7][8] He was sworn into office on January 2, 2018.
Frey is Minneapolis's second Jewish mayor, and its second-youngest after Al Hofstede, who was 34 when he was elected in 1973.[9] Frey campaigned on a platform of increasing support for affordable housing and improving police-community relations.
Candidates
editDeclared
edit- Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins (Libertarian), unconventional Libertarian[10][11]
- A. J. Awed (DFL), co-executive director of the Cedar-Riverside Community Council[12][11]
- Troy Benjegerdes (DFL), software engineer and candidate for mayor in 2013 and 2017[11][13][14][15]
- Bob Carney (Republican)[11]
- Clint Conner (DFL), attorney and social justice advocate[16][11]
- Christopher David (DFL)[11]
- Jacob Frey (DFL), incumbent mayor[17][11]
- Mark Globus (DFL), attorney and business leader[18][11]
- Marcus Harcus (Grassroots–Legalize Cannabis), executive director of the Minnesota Campaign for Full Legalization[11][19]
- Paul Johnson (Humanitarian-Community Party)[20][11]
- Kate Knuth (DFL), educator and former state representative[21][11]
- Doug Nelson (Socialist Workers)[11]
- Sheila June Nezhad (DFL), community organizer[22][11]
- Jerrell Perry (For the People Party)[11]
- Laverne Turner (Republican), political advisor[11][23]
- Kevin Ward (Independent)[11]
- Mike Winter (Independence), commercial driver, podcast host, and Teamster Union steward[11]
Withdrew
edit- David Tilsen (DFL), former Minneapolis School Board member (endorsed Nezhad)[24]
- Philip Sturm (DFL), U.S. Marine Corps veteran[25]
Endorsements
editSeven DFL members of the Minnesota State Legislature signed a letter urging Minneapolis residents not to reelect Frey and to instead elect a new mayor who would fight racial discrimination while improving public safety. The legislators who signed the letter were senators Scott Dibble and Omar Fateh and representatives Esther Agbaje, Jim Davnie, Aisha Gomez, Emma Greenman, and Hodan Hassan. The letter stops short of endorsing any specific candidate,[26] but Agbaje, Davnie, Dibble, and Greenman separately endorsed Knuth. Gomez endorsed both Nezhad and Knuth.[27][28]
Jacob Frey (incumbent, DFL)
- Federal officials
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota[11]
- Statewide officials
- Tim Walz, incumbent Governor of Minnesota (2019-present)[29]
- Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota (2019–present); U.S. Representative from MN-05 (2007–2019)[30]
- Local officials
- Sharon Sayles Belton, former Mayor of Minneapolis (1994-2001)[11]
- Labor unions
- American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 5[11]
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 82[11]
- Minneapolis Firefighters Local 82[11]
- Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council[11]
- Teamsters Joint Council 32[11]
Kate Knuth (DFL)
- U.S. representatives
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative from MN-05 (2019–present) (dual endorsement with Sheila Nezhad)[31]
- State legislators
- Esther Agbaje, Minnesota state representative from District 59A [32]
- Karen Clark, former Minnesota state senator from District 62A[33]
- Jim Davnie, Minnesota state representative from District 63A[27]
- Scott Dibble, Minnesota state senator from District 61 [34]
- Aisha Gomez, Minnesota state representative from District 62B (dual endorsement with Sheila Nezhad) [35]
- Emma Greenman, Minnesota state representative from District 63B[27]
- Erin Murphy, Minnesota state senator from District 64 and former DFL House Majority Leader[11]
- Jean Wagenius, former Minnesota state representative from District 63B[11]
- Local officials
- Lisa Bender, Minneapolis City Council President[11]
- Brad Bourn, Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner[27]
- Alondra Cano, Minneapolis City Council Member[11]
- Steve Fletcher, Minneapolis City Council Member[11]
- Phillipe Cunningham, Minneapolis City Council Member (dual endorsement with Sheila Nezhad)
- Cam Gordon, Minneapolis City Council Member (Green)[27]
- Jeremiah Ellison, Minneapolis City Council Member (dual endorsement with Sheila Nezhad)
- Jeremy Schroeder, Minneapolis City Council Member[11]
- Party caucuses
- Minnesota DFL Environmental Caucus[11]
- Organizations
- 350 Action Minnesota(dual endorsement with Sheila Nezhad)[11]
- OutFront Minnesota Action (second choice)[11]
- Sierra Club Minneapolis Political Committee[11]
- TakeAction Minnesota(dual endorsement with Sheila Nezhad)[11]
Sheila Nezhad (DFL)
- U.S. representatives
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative from MN-05 (2019–present) (dual endorsement with Kate Knuth)'[31]
- State legislators
- Aisha Gomez, Minnesota state representative from District 62B (dual endorsement with Kate Knuth) [36]
- Local officials
- Phillipe Cunningham, Minneapolis City Council Member (dual endorsement with Kate Knuth)[37]
- Jeremiah Ellison, Minneapolis City Council Member (dual endorsement with Kate Knuth)[38]
- Party caucuses
- Organizations
- 350 Action Minnesota (dual endorsement with Kate Knuth)[11]
- Clean Water Action
- LGBTQ Victory Fund[40]
- Minnesota Stonewall Democrats[39]
- National Iranian American Council Action [41]
- OutFront Minnesota Action (first choice)[11]
- Run for Something[11]
- VOTEPROCHOICE[42]
- TakeAction Minnesota (dual endorsement with Kate Knuth)[43]
- Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America[11]
- Twin Cities Mutual Aid Project[39]
Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins (L)
- Individuals
- Spike Cohen, 2020 vice presidential candidate for the Libertarian Party[44][45]
- Larry Sharpe, activist, political candidate[46]
- Party caucuses
No endorsement
- Party caucuses
- Minneapolis DFL[52]
Fundraising
edit| Campaign finance reports (1/1/2021–7/27/2021) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate[a] | Total raised | Expenses | Cash on hand |
| Nate Atkins | $13,041 | $10,616 | $2,424 |
| A. J. Awed | $263,005 | $235,464 | $27,598 |
| Troy Benjegerdes | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Bob Carney | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Clint Conner | $60,450 | $45,589 | $14,860 |
| Christopher David | $912 | $712 | $200 |
| Jacob Frey | $676,271 | $754,283 | $155,767 |
| Mark Globus | $25,420 | $23,413 | $2,006 |
| Marcus Harcus | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Paul Johnson | $3,225 | $2,305 | $919 |
| Kate Knuth | $227,505 | $179,710 | $47,795 |
| Sheila Nezhad | $231,501 | $186,529 | $49,667 |
| Jerrell Perry | $4,564 | $3,983 | $581 |
| Laverne Turner | $1,830 | $1,042 | $753 |
| Mike Winter | $150 | $150 | $0 |
| [53] | |||
Polling
edit| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[A] |
Margin of error |
RCV count |
A. J. Awed
|
Jacob Frey
|
Kate Knuth
|
Sheila Nezhad
|
Others | Exhausted ballots |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALG Research (D)[B] | October 16–19, 2021 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 1 | 3% | 44% | 10% | 25% | 4% | – | 13% |
| 3 | – | 45% | 12% | 26% | – | 4% | 13% | ||||
| 4 | – | 47% | – | 27% | – | 12% | 13% |
Results
edit| Candidate | Round 1 | Round 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |
| Jacob Frey (incumbent) | 61,620 | 42.8% | 70,669 | 56.2% |
| Sheila June Nezhad | 30,368 | 21.1% | Eliminated | |
| Kate Knuth | 26,468 | 18.4% | 55,007 | 43.8% |
| A. J. Awed | 6,860 | 4.8% | Eliminated | |
| Laverne Turner | 4,620 | 3.2% | Eliminated | |
| Clint Conner | 4,309 | 3% | Eliminated | |
| Bob Carney | 2,788 | 1.9% | Eliminated | |
| Marcus Harcus | 1,189 | 0.8% | Eliminated | |
| Nate Atkins | 1,179 | 0.8% | Eliminated | |
| Mark Globus | 1,158 | 0.8% | Eliminated | |
| Doug Nelson | 739 | 0.5% | Eliminated | |
| Jerrell Perry | 687 | 0.5% | Eliminated | |
| Mike Winter | 642 | 0.4% | Eliminated | |
| Christopher David | 493 | 0.3% | Eliminated | |
| Kevin Ward | 282 | 0.2% | Eliminated | |
| Paul Johnson | 243 | 0.2% | Eliminated | |
| Troy Benjegerdes | 184 | 0.1% | Eliminated | |
| Write-ins | 145 | 0.1% | Eliminated | |
| Inactive ballots | 0 ballots | 18,298 ballots | ||
| Total | 143,974 | 100.0% | 143,974 | 100.0% |
| Party | Candidate | Maximum round |
Maximum votes |
Share in maximum round |
Maximum votes First round votesTransfer votes
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Jacob Frey (incumbent) | 2 | 70,669 | 56.2% |
| |
| Democratic (DFL) | Kate Knuth | 2 | 55,007 | 43.8% |
| |
| Democratic (DFL) | Sheila Nezhad | 1 | 30,368 | 21.1% |
| |
| Democratic (DFL) | A.J. Awed | 1 | 6,860 | 4.8% |
| |
| Republican | Laverne Turner | 1 | 4,620 | 3.2% |
| |
| Democratic (DFL) | Clint Conner | 1 | 4,309 | 3.0% |
| |
| Republican | Bob Carney | 1 | 2,788 | 1.9% |
| |
| Grassroots—LC | Marcus Harcus | 1 | 1,189 | 0.8% |
| |
| Libertarian | Nate Atkins | 1 | 1,179 | 0.8% |
| |
| Democratic (DFL) | Mark Globus | 1 | 1,158 | 0.8% |
| |
| Socialist Workers | Doug Nelson | 1 | 739 | 0.5% |
| |
| For the People | Jerrell Perry | 1 | 687 | 0.5% |
| |
| Independence | Mike Winter | 1 | 642 | 0.4% |
| |
| Democratic (DFL) | Christopher David | 1 | 493 | 0.3% |
| |
| Independent | Kevin Ward | 1 | 282 | 0.2% |
| |
| Humanitarian-Community | Paul Johnson | 1 | 243 | 0.2% |
| |
| Democratic (DFL) | Troy Benjegerdes | 1 | 184 | 0.1% |
| |
| Write-in | 1 | 145 | 0.1% |
| ||
Notes
edit- ^ The following candidates filed campaign finance reports with Hennepin County. Doug Nelson and Kevin Ward did not file a report, and thus are not listed.
- Partisan clients
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Minneapolis-St. Paul Election Results". The New York Times. November 2, 2021.
- ^ Rio, Giulia McDonnell Nieto del; Eligon, John; Hassan, Adeel (May 25, 2021). "A Timeline of What Has Happened in the Year Since George Floyd's Death". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ Gustavo, Solomon (June 18, 2021). "Four takeaways from the Minneapolis DFL's mayoral endorsement process". MinnPost. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Kaul, Greta (October 26, 2021). "An internal poll showed Frey with a 19-point lead in the Minneapolis mayoral race. But in an RCV election, he could still lose". MinnPost. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Collins, Jon; Birnstengel, Grace (October 20, 2021). "Voter guide: Minneapolis mayoral candidates". MPR News. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Belz, Adam (January 3, 2017). "Council Member Jacob Frey announces bid for mayor of Minneapolis". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- ^ Belz, Adam (November 9, 2017). "Jacob Frey wins mayor election in Minneapolis". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ "2017 Mayor Election Results Tabulation - Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services". vote.minneapolismn.gov. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
- ^ Belz, Adam (November 9, 2017). "Jacob Frey wins mayor election in Minneapolis". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ "Nate Atkins for Mayor". Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am "Mayoral election in Minneapolis, Minnesota (2021)".
- ^ "A.J. Awed joins race for Minneapolis mayor". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Snapshot: Who's running for Minneapolis mayor and why".
- ^ "35 candidates later who will be the next Minneapolis mayor?". MSNBC.
- ^ "Troy Benjegerdes". LinkedIn.
- ^ "Meet Clint Conner —". clintconner2021.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says he's running for re-election". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021.
- ^ "Globus Announces for Mayor – Mark Globus". May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ "Two activists are planning to do something novel when it comes to the debate over recreational marijuana in Minnesota: Debate". March 5, 2019.
- ^ "Paul Johnson for Minneapolis Mayor | Paul Johnson For Mayor | Minneapolis". Paul4Mpls. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Ex-Rep. Kate Knuth jumps into Minneapolis mayoral race to take on Jacob Frey". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Sheila for the People". Sheila for the People. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "GOP icons inspire Jeff Johnson's quest for Minnesota governor". Star Tribune.
- ^ "Who's running for mayor of Minneapolis? – Southside Pride".
- ^ "Field of 56 candidates for Minneapolis offices seeking DFL endorsements". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Tribune, Liz Navratil Star. "Divided left field of Minneapolis mayoral hopefuls have unified message: Don't rank Frey". Star Tribune.
- ^ a b c d e "Here's who has endorsed the frontrunners for Minneapolis Mayor". October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ^ "Dr. Kate Knuth (@kateformpls) • Instagram photos and videos".
- ^ "Walz Endorses Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for Re-Election, Melvin Carter for St. Paul". July 2, 2021.
- ^ "Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey confirms run for reelection".
- ^ a b "Rep. Omar endorses two candidates for Minneapolis mayor, urges voters to snub Frey". FOX 9. October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Dr. Kate Knuth on Instagram: "New Endorsement! 🧡 We are thrilled to have the endorsement of @go4esther. Esther is my State Rep, so this endorsement is extra special. I look forward to moving Minneapolis to a more equitable future, together!"".
- ^ "Minneapolis Mayor". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ "Dr. Kate Knuth on Instagram: "🚨New Endorsement!🚨 We're happy to announce @ScottDibble's endorsement of our race! His work for marriage equality and on green legislation have helped Minneapolis thrive. Thank you!!"".
- ^ "Dr. Kate Knuth on Instagram: "New endorsement!!🧡 Thank you, Rep. Aisha Gomez for your dedication to environmental justice, housing, and equity. We are deeply grateful for your support!"".
- ^ "Here's who has endorsed the frontrunners for Minneapolis mayor".
- ^ "Endorsements".
- ^ Sheila for the People [@SheilaFTP] (October 31, 2021). "Sheila Nezhad will bring powerful and rigorous leadership to the executive role at City Hall. Sheila stands on a platform of justice and community engagement, and has demonstrated that a grassroots-powered campaign can go up against big money. https://t.co/6TMvv1NQSl" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c Muzzy, Emalyn. "The "For the People" mayoral candidate Sheila Nezhad is running a "winnable" and community-oriented campaign".
- ^ "Nezhad, Sheila – LGBTQ Victory Fund". Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ "NIAC Action endorses Sheila Nezhad for Minneapolis Mayor".
- ^ "Meet Our 2021 Candidates". #VOTEPROCHOICE. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Election Endorsements". Takeaction Mn.
- ^ Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins [@HB4mayor] (August 14, 2021). "A day of activism with Spike Cohen, yours truly, and (possibly) @Anthonywelti ! https://t.co/ceQe0IrRUX" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Events | Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins for Mayor of Minneapolis". June 11, 2021.
- ^ Sharpe, Larry [@LarrySharpe] (August 12, 2021). "Libertarians Drinking Coffee LIVE: A "Honey Badger" for Mayor of Minneapolis? LP Candidate Nate Atkins discusses at 3pm ET. Livestream: Facebook/Twitter/YouTube. #LarrySharpe #libertarian #liberty #LDCL #minneapolis #honeybadger #LP #NateAtkins https://t.co/xnpOzTRBm8" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Legal Marijuana Now Party (LMN) - End Cannabis Prohibition". legalmarijuananow. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ Atkins, Nate [@HB4mayor] (August 4, 2021). "Woot! I've officially been endorsed by the Legal Marijuana Now party! I'm very honored and grateful to receive their endorsement! #LegalizeIt #legalizemarijuana https://t.co/vmK5znTdQs" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Candidates".
- ^ "2021 Candidates". February 7, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ Atkins, Nate [@HB4mayor] (June 30, 2021). "Incredibly honored and excited to have been endorsed by the @LPMisesCaucus! #takehumanaction #ThisIsTheWay #saveourcity https://t.co/Tul7oLexfx" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Four takeaways from the Minneapolis DFL's mayoral endorsement process". June 18, 2021.
- ^ "Campaign Finance Reporting System * version 2.2". www16.co.hennepin.mn.us. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Minneapolis, City of (November 2, 2021). "2021 Mayor results". City of Minneapolis. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
External links
edit- Official campaign websites