2025 Minneapolis City Council election
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The 2025 Minneapolis City Council election occurred in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on November 4, 2025. The Minneapolis City Council is made up of 13 members representing different parts of the city. Members elected in 2025 will serve four-year terms.[1] Council members were elected alongside elections for mayor and other municipal offices.[2]
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November 4, 2025
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All 13 seats on the Minneapolis City Council 7 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
This was the first Minneapolis City Council election since 2017 in which members are elected to the usual 4-year terms, rather than 2-year terms. In 2020, voters passed a ballot measure to elect council members to two separate, two-year terms in 2021 and 2023. This measure was meant to keep city council and mayoral terms concurrent.[3]
The 2023 election saw a progressive-leaning and democratic socialist majority elected to the council.[4] Prior to 2023, more moderate members held the majority.[5] The progressive faction includes council members Payne, Chavez, Wonsley, Chughtai, Chowdhury, Ellison, and Cashman. In the 2023 election, Wonsley, Chughtai, Chowdhury, and Chavez were endorsed by the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America,[6] but Chowdhury was not endorsed in 2025.[7] The moderate faction includes council members Jenkins, Rainville, Vetaw, Palmisano, and (formerly) Koski.[8][9] The two largest PACs in both the 2023 and 2025 city council races are All of Mpls and Mpls for the Many.[10] Generally, All of Mpls endorses more moderate candidates[11] and Mpls for the Many endorses more progressive candidates.[12] Councilmember Jamal Osman was not endorsed by either PAC in 2023 but has voted more often with the progressives.[13] Emily Koski was the council's most reliable swing vote, supporting the moderates and progressives evenly.[14] Koski is retiring from the council. She launched a campaign for mayor, but withdrew in April.[15]
In December 2024, the mayor’s 2025 city budget was approved by the council with a record 71 amendments. Mayor Jacob Frey, associated with the moderate faction, vetoed that amended budget (the first veto of its kind in city history) citing concerns about fiscal irresponsibility and higher property taxes. In turn, the council overrode the veto with a supermajority vote of 9–4, officially enacting its version of the budget.[16] The amended budget included a $1.9 billion allocation with a 6.8% tax levy increase, diverging from Mayor Frey’s initial plan, which had an 8.1% property tax levy cap (later adjusted to 8.3%).[17]
Issues expected to significantly influence the election included the city's handling of homeless encampments, which drew criticism over effectiveness and oversight;[18][19] rising concerns about public safety and policing strategies amid recent incidents of violence and strained relationships between law enforcement leadership and city politics;[20][21][22] and tensions surrounding interactions with the federal government.[23][24]
Electoral system
The 13 members of the city council are elected from single-member districts via instant-runoff voting, commonly known as ranked choice voting. Voters have the option of ranking up to three candidates in order of preference. Municipal elections in Minnesota are officially nonpartisan, although candidates are able to identify with a political party or principle on the ballot. Write-in candidates must file a request with the Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services Division for votes for them to be counted.
Retiring members
- Jeremiah Ellison (DFL), Ward 5[25]
- Andrea Jenkins (DFL), Ward 8[26]
- Emily Koski (DFL), Ward 11[27]
Summary of results
| Party | Candidates | 1st Choice Votes | Max Round | Seats | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | ∆pp | No. | % | No. | ∆No. | % | |||
| Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) | 30 | 125,479 | 90.02 | +0.72 | 118,622 | 89.51 | 12 | 0 | 92.31 | |
| Democratic Socialists of America | 1 | 3,825 | 2.74 | +0.78 | 3,825 | 2.89 | 1 | 0 | 7.69 | |
| Progressive Unity Independent | 1 | 3,307 | 2.37 | +2.37 | 3,307 | 2.50 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Independent | 2 | 1,932 | 1.39 | -1.85 | 1,932 | 1.46 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Budgetary Economic Stability | 1 | 1,136 | 0.81 | +0.81 | 1,136 | 0.86 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Community Over Politics | 1 | 904 | 0.65 | +0.65 | 904 | 0.68 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Socialist Workers Party | 1 | 661 | 0.47 | -0.53 | 661 | 0.50 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Climate Revolution Elephant | 1 | 630 | 0.45 | +0.45 | 630 | 0.47 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Tell The Truth | 1 | 443 | 0.32 | +0.32 | 443 | 0.33 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Republican Party | 1 | 416 | 0.30 | -0.93 | 416 | 0.31 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| N/A | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | +0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Write-in | N/A | 663 | 0.48 | -1.3 | 643 | 0.49 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Total | 139,397 | 100 | ±0.00 | 132,520 | 100 | |||||
Ward 1
Ward 1 is based in northeast Minneapolis, stretching from the neighborhoods of Waite Park and Columbia Park down to Como.[28] The incumbent is Democrat and council president Elliott Payne, who was elected with 90% of the vote in 2023.[29] He won re-election with 65% of the vote.[30]
Candidates
- Edwin Fruit (Socialist Workers Party), candidate for this ward in 2023[31]
- Elliott Payne (DFL), incumbent, City Council president[32]
- Brian Strahan (DFL)[33]
Endorsements
- U.S. representatives
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district[34]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
- Minnesota Young DFL[38]
- Mpls for the Many[39]
- TakeAction Minnesota[40]
- OutFront Minnesota[41]
- Political parties
Results
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
| Ward 1 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Elliott Payne (incumbent) | 7,876 | 64.89% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Brian Strahan | 3,565 | 29.37% | |||
| Socialist Workers | Edwin Fruit | 661 | 5.45% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 36 | 0.30% | |||
| Total active votes | 12,138 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[30] | ||||||
Ward 2
Ward 2 contains the neighborhoods of Cooper, Prospect Park, and University District, as well as portions of Seward and Cedar-Riverside.[28] The incumbent is independent democratic socialist[a][46] Robin Wonsley, who was re-elected with 67.63% of the vote in the first round 2023.[29]
Ward 2 is the only seat on the council not held by the DFL. The party's convention on 3 May 2025 adjourned without endorsing a candidate. Former state representative Shelley Madore led with 53 percent of delegate votes, but short of the 60% required. Wonsley, who did not seek party backing, saw supporters’ ballots ruled invalid.[47][48] Wonsely celebrated the convention outcome.[49] She won reelection with 60% of the vote.[50]
Candidates
Filed
- Shelley Madore (DFL), former state representative[51]
- Max Theroux (DFL)[31]
- Robin Wonsley (Democratic Socialist), incumbent[52]
Withdrawn
Endorsements
- Federal officials
- Ilhan Omar, MN-05 (2019–present)[34]
- Labor unions
- UNITE HERE Local 17[35]
- SEIU Minnesota[36]
- Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO[37]
- GLU-UE Local 1105 [57]
- Organizations
- Sierra Club Minnesota[58]
- Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America[59]
- Mpls for the Many[60]
- TakeAction Minnesota[40]
- OutFront Minnesota[61]
- Political parties
Results
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 50–60%
| Ward 2 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic Socialist | Robin Wonsley (incumbent) | 3,825 | 59.80% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Shelley Madore | 2,069 | 32.35% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Max Theroux | 252 | 3.94% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Michael Baskins (withdrawn) | 236 | 3.69% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 14 | 0.22% | |||
| Total active votes | 6,396 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[50] | ||||||
Ward 3
Ward 3 contains the neighborhoods of Beltrami, Como, Downtown East, Downtown West, Marcy Holmes, Nicollet Island - East Bank, North Loop, Sheridan, St. Anthony East and St. Anthony West.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Michael Rainville, who won 69.45% of the vote in the first round in his 2023 re-election.[29] He won reelection with 74% of the vote.[62]
Candidates
Filed
- Michael Rainville (DFL), incumbent[63]
- Marcus Mills (Progressive Unity Independent), candidate for this ward in 2023[53][64]
Withdrawn
- Emilio Rodríguez (DFL),[63] candidate for Senate District 60 in the 2025 special election[65]
- Jacob Thomas (DFL)[66]
Endorsements
- Organizations
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
| Ward 3 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Michael Rainville (incumbent) | 9,505 | 73.86% | |||
| Progressive Unity Independent | Marcus Mills | 3,307 | 25.70% | |||
| n/a | Valerie Bartel | 1 | 0.01% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 56 | 0.43% | |||
| Total active votes | 12,869 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[62] | ||||||
Ward 4
Ward 4 is in the northwest corner of the city. It contains the neighborhoods of Camden Industrial Area, Cleveland, Folwell, Humboldt Industrial Area, Jordan, Lind-Bohanon, McKinley, Shingle Creek, Victory, Webber-Camden and Willard-Hay.[28] The incumbent is Democrat LaTrisha Vetaw, who was re-elected with 69.36% of the vote in the first round in 2023.[29] She won reelection with 61% of the vote.[67]
Candidates
Filed
Endorsements
- Organizations
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
| Ward 4 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Latrisha Vetaw (incumbent) | 4,039 | 60.89% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Marvina Haynes | 2,123 | 32.01% | |||
| Tell The Truth | Leslie Davis | 443 | 6.68% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 28 | 0.42% | |||
| Total active votes | 6,633 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[67] | ||||||
Ward 5
Ward 5 contains the neighborhoods of Harrison, Near North, Hawthorne, and North Loop.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Jeremiah Ellison, who was re-elected in Round 1 with 52.54% of the vote in 2023.[29] Ellison is not seeking re-election.[25] Pearll Warren won election after the third round of ranked choice voting with 48% of the vote.[71]
Candidates
Filed
Withdrawn
- Amber Frederick (DFL)[53] (running for Park Board at-large)[78]
Endorsements
- Organizations
- Mpls for the Many[79]
- OutFront Minnesota[80]
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44] (co-endorsement with Wilson)
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44] (co-endorsement with Warren)
- Political parties
Results
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 40–50%
| Ward 5 results | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | ||||
| Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Pearll Warren | 1,891 | 37.54% | 1,954 | 38.79% | 2,437 | 48.38% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Ethrophic Burnett | 1,419 | 28.17% | 1,453 | 28.85% | 1,723 | 34.21% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Miles G. Wilson | 725 | 14.39% | 790 | 15.68% | Eliminated | ||
| Democratic (DFL) | Anndrea Young | 593 | 11.77% | 656 | 13.02% | Eliminated | ||
| Democratic (DFL) | Maurice L. Ward | 293 | 5.82% | Eliminated | Eliminated | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Jōvan Northington | 96 | 1.91% | Eliminated | Eliminated | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 20 | 0.40% | Eliminated | Eliminated | |||
| Exhausted votes | 0 | 0% | 184 | 3.65% | 877 | 17.41% | ||
| Total active votes | 5,037 | 100.0% | ||||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[71][82] | ||||||||
Ward 6
Ward 6 contains the neighborhoods of Philips West, and Ventura Village, as well as portions of Seward, Stevens Square-Loring Heights, Cedar-Riverside, and Elliot Park.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Jamal Osman, who was re-elected in the second round of ranked-choice tabulation, receiving 44.73% of first-choice votes and 58.18% of final votes.[29] He won reelection with 59% of the vote.[83]
Candidates
Filed
- Mohamoud Hassan (DFL)[84]
- Jamal Osman (DFL), incumbent[84]
Endorsements
- Political parties
- Federal officials
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district[34]
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44]
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
| Ward 6 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Jamal Osman (incumbent) | 4,164 | 58.78% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Mohamoud Hassan | 2,837 | 40.05% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 83 | 1.17% | |||
| Total active votes | 7,084 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[83] | ||||||
Ward 7
Ward 7 contains the neighborhoods of Bryn Mawr, Cedar-Isles-Dean, Downtown West, East Isles, Kenwood, Loring Park, and Lowry Hill, as well as portions of Stevens Square-Loring Heights and Elliot Park.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Katie Cashman, who was first elected in the second round of ranked-choice tabulation in 2023, winning 48.41% of first-choice votes and 51.12% of final votes.[29] Elizabeth Shaffer won with 52% of the vote.[85]
Candidates
Filed
- Katie Cashman (DFL), incumbent[86]
- Elizabeth Shaffer (DFL), Park Board commissioner[87]
- Corey Ryan Vest (DFL)[31]
Withdrawn
Endorsements
- Political parties
- Federal officials
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district[34]
- Organizations
- LIUNA Minnesota & North Dakota[89]
- Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO[37]
- Minnesota Young DFL[38]
- Mpls for the Many[90]
- UNITE HERE Local 17[35]
- SEIU Minnesota[36]
- OutFront Minnesota[91]
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44] (co-endorsement with Shaffer)
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 80–90%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
| Ward 7 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Elizabeth Shaffer | 6,709 | 52.14% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Katie Cashman (incumbent) | 5,909 | 45.92% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Corey Ryan Vest | 223 | 1.73% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 27 | 0.21% | |||
| Total active votes | 12,868 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[85] | ||||||
Ward 8
Ward 8 contains the neighborhoods of Bancroft, Bryant, Central, Field, Kingfield, Lyndale, Northrop, and Regina.[92] Incumbent Democrat Andrea Jenkins (DFL) is not seeking re-election.[26]
Jenkins was re-elected in the second round of ranked-choice-voting in 2023 after receiving fewer first-choice votes than opponent Soren Stevenson (DFL). Jenkins won in 2023 with 43.32% of first-choice votes and 50.24% of final-round votes.[29] Stevenson announced his bid for the ward in December 2024. He won with 56% of the vote.[93]
Candidates
Filed
Endorsements
- Political parties
- Federal officials
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district[34]
- Organizations
- Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America[59]
- Mpls for the Many[96]
- Minnesota Young DFL[38]
- TakeAction Minnesota[40]
- OutFront Minnesota[97]
- Political organizations
- All of Mpls[44]
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
| Ward 8 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Soren Stevenson | 6,685 | 56.25% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Josh Bassais | 4,594 | 38.66% | |||
| Republican | Bob Sullentrop | 416 | 3.50% | |||
| Independent | Philip Galberth | 178 | 1.50% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 11 | 0.09% | |||
| Total active votes | 11,884 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[93] | ||||||
Ward 9
Ward 9 contains the neighborhoods of Corcoran, East Phillips, Longfellow, Midtown Phillips, and Powderhorn Park.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Jason Chavez, who was re-elected in the first round of tabulation with 78.94% of the vote in 2023.[29] He won reelection with 77% of the vote.[98]
Candidates
Filed
- Jason Chavez (DFL), incumbent[99]
- Dan Orban (independent), candidate for this ward in 2023[100]
Withdrawn
Endorsements
- Political parties
- Federal officials
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district[34]
- Organizations
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund[103]
- Minnesota Young DFL[38]
- Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America[59]
- Mpls for the Many[104]
- TakeAction Minnesota[40]
- UNITE HERE Local 17[35]
- SEIU Minnesota[36]
- Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO[37]
- OutFront Minnesota[105]
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44]
Results
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
| Ward 9 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Jason Chavez (incumbent) | 6,089 | 77.37% | |||
| Independent | Daniel Orban | 1,754 | 22.29% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 27 | 0.34% | |||
| Total active votes | 7,870 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[98] | ||||||
Ward 10
Ward 10 contains the neighborhoods of East Bde Maka Ska, Lowry Hill East, South Uptown, and Whittier, as well as a portion of East Harriet.[28] The incumbent is Democrat and current council vice president Aisha Chughtai, who was re-elected in the first round with 60.74% of the vote in 2023.[29]
Chughtai is challenged by Lydia Millard, Executive Director of the Stevens Square Community Organization and Target corporate employee.[106] Prior to the ward convention, it was discovered that Millard was claiming a house in Ward 1 as her primary residence for tax purposes in 2024.[107] Millard explained that the house was intended to house women who had recently been released from incarceration, but that this had become untenable due to water damage that had occurred in January 2024.[107]
Millard was supported by We Love Minneapolis PAC. prior to its dissolving, which received thirty thousand dollars from Hornig Properties, a corporate landlord in Ward 10, during their first quarter of operation.[108] Claims have been made that the Millard team received assistance door knocking on Hornig properties.[108] Jim Rubin, owner of Mint Properties,[109] another prominent Ward 10 landlord, has been identified as a leader of the PAC.[110]
The ward saw no DFL endorsement when Chughtai earned 52 percent of the vote to Millard’s 47 percent and delegates unanimously voted to end the convention early rather than hold further votes.[111] Chughtai alleged that she was assaulted during the convention by one of Millard's supporters.[112]
Chughtai won reelection with 59% of the vote.[113]
Candidates
Filed
- Aisha Chughtai (DFL), incumbent[114]
- DeShanneon Grimes (DFL)[31]
- Lydia Millard (DFL)[115]
Endorsements
- Federal officials
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district[34]
- Organizations
- Minnesota Young DFL[38]
- Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America[59]
- MCAD Young Democratic Socialists of America
- TakeAction Minnesota[40]
- UNITE HERE Local 17[35]
- SEIU Minnesota[36]
- Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO[37]
- OutFront Minnesota[116]
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44]
- We Love Minneapolis
- Political parties
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
| Ward 10 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Aisha Chughtai (incumbent) | 6,358 | 58.76% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Lydia Millard | 4,011 | 37.07% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | DeShanneon Grimes | 423 | 3.91% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 28 | 0.26% | |||
| Total active votes | 10,820 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[113] | ||||||
Ward 11
Ward 11 contains the neighborhoods of Diamond Lake, Hale, Page, Northrop, Tangletown, Wenonah, and Windom, as well as a portion of Keewaydin.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Emily Koski, who was re-elected with 88.36% of the first-round vote in 2023.[29] Koski did not seek re-election, instead focusing on a bid for mayor.[27] Upon her withdrawal from the mayoral election in April 2025,[117] Koski declined to enter the race for her council seat.[118]
Jamison Whiting won with 63% of the vote.[119]
Candidates
Filed
Endorsements
- Political parties
- Organizations
- Minnesota Young DFL[38]
- All of Mpls[44] (co-endorsement with DeMello)
- OutFront Minnesota[122]
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44] (co-endorsement with Whiting)
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
| Ward 11 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Jamison Whiting | 8,436 | 62.57% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Mariam DeMello | 3,887 | 28.83% | |||
| Budgetary Economic Stability | Jim Meyer | 1,136 | 8.43% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 24 | 0.18% | |||
| Total active votes | 13,483 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[119] | ||||||
Ward 12
Ward 12 contains the neighborhoods of Cooper, Ericsson, Hiawatha, Howe, Minnehaha, Morris Park, and Standish, as well as a portion of Keewaydin.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Aurin Chowdhury, who was first elected with 53.75% of the vote in round 1 in 2023.[29]
Challenger Becka Thompson, an elected member of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, attracted controversy in May when she said that, for some voters, she lacked "the desired amount of melanin" to run against incumbent Aurin Chowdhury, who is Bengali American.[123] Thompson apologized for the remark, but then attracted further controversy in July with a similar remark in a TikTok video in which she asserted that council vice president Aisha Chughtai attracted votes in her successful 2021 campaign in Ward 10 because she is a "nice, young, you know, ethnic woman."[124]
Chowdhury won reelection with 62% of the vote.[125]
Candidates
Filed
- Edward Bear Stops (Community over Politics)[31]
- Aurin Chowdhury (DFL), incumbent[126]
- Becka Thompson (DFL), Park Board commissioner[127]
Endorsements
- Political parties
- Minneapolis DFL[42]
- Working Families Party[128][43]
- Federal officials
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district[34]
- Organizations
- Minnesota Young DFL[38]
- Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO[37]
- TakeAction Minnesota[40]
- UNITE HERE Local 17[35]
- SEIU Minnesota[36]
- Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO[37]
- OutFront Minnesota[129]
- Organizations
- All of Mpls[44]
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
| Ward 12 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Aurin Chowdhury (incumbent) | 10,216 | 62.03% | |||
| Democratic (DFL) | Becka Thompson | 5,302 | 32.19% | |||
| Community Over Politics | Edward Bear Stops | 904 | 5.49% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 48 | 0.29% | |||
| Total active votes | 16,470 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[125] | ||||||
Ward 13
Ward 13 contains the neighborhoods of Armatage, Fulton, Kenny, Linden Hills, Lynnhurst, and West Maka Ska, as well as a portion of East Harriet.[28] The incumbent is Democrat Linea Palmisano, who was re-elected in the first round with 73.58% of the vote in 2023.[29] She won reelection with 94% of the vote.[130]
Candidates
Filed
- Linea Palmisano (DFL), incumbent[131][132]
- Bob Again Carney Jr (Climate Revolution Elephant), perennial candidate[31][133]
Endorsements
Results
- 80–90%
- >90%
| Ward 6 results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | ||||
| Votes | % | |||||
| Democratic (DFL) | Linea Palmisano (incumbent) | 14,954 | 94.38% | |||
| Climate Revolution Elephant | Bob "Again" Carney Jr. | 630 | 3.98% | |||
| Write-in | Write-ins | 261 | 1.65% | |||
| Total active votes | 15,845 | 100.0% | ||||
| Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[130] | ||||||
DFL endorsement process
While there is no primary in Minneapolis municipal elections, parties are able to endorse candidates. Support from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party can provide crucial support and infrastructure.[134] Caucuses for each precinct were held on April 8, 2025, to elect delegates for ward and city conventions. At ward conventions, running from mid-April through early June, the party endorses city council candidates who receive over 60% of delegate votes; city conventions endorse all other candidates.[135]
The convention for Ward 2, largely located on and around the University of Minnesota campus, saw controversy and legal action. Originally scheduled for May 3, the convention was rescheduled multiple times by Minneapolis DFL chair Conrad Zbikowski. After students and DSA incumbent Robin Wonsley argued that the new date of June 1 would exclude student voters, the Minneapolis DFL Executive Committee reversed Zbikowski's decision.[136] Two delegates then sued the DFL over the reversal, and Zbikowski resigned.[137] The delegates' lawsuit failed and the convention was held on the original May 3 date.[138] At the convention, no candidate received the endorsement after fifty delegates were removed for supporting Wonsley.[47]
There was also no endorsement in Ward 5, where incumbent Jeremiah Ellison is retiring.[81]
At the Ward 7 convention, representing parts of Bde Maka Ska-Isles and downtown Minneapolis, incumbent Katie Cashman was defeated by Park Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer, who won 61 percent of the endorsement vote.[139] Meanwhile, incumbent Ward 10 Councilor Aisha Chughtai fell short of the DFL endorsement, earning 52 percent of the vote to Lydia Millard’s 47 percent after a unanimous vote to end the convention early resulted in no endorsement for either candidate.
Incumbent candidates were endorsed in Wards 1, 3, 4, 9, 12, and 13. In open seats, Soren Stevenson was endorsed in Ward 8, and Jamison Whiting received the endorsement in Ward 11.[42]
Political action committees
The have been four main political action committees (PACs) raising funds to support or oppose candidates in Minneapolis in the 2025 election. "Minneapolis for the Many" has advocated progressive policies. "All of Mpls" has positioned itself as politically moderate. "We Love Minneapolis" promoted neoliberal policies—following it being disbanded, a very similar organization called "Thrive MPLS" was created with an overlap in staff. Commentators have criticized PACs in Minneapolis elections for polarizing voters across the political spectrum.[140][141][142]
We Love Minneapolis
Registered in March 2025,[143] "We Love Minneapolis" is chaired by Andrea Corbin,[143] Republican Party of Minnesota donor and owner of Flower Bar in Lowry Hill East.[144] The organization seeks to influence the council toward policies considered more business-friendly.[144]
In an email circulated among City of Minneapolis employees in March 2025, PAC supporters Dana Swindler and Howard Paster indicated the group's aim to replace city councilors affiliated with the DSA with candidates more aligned with business interests.[145] The email identified Jim Rubin of Mint Properties as the PAC's leader at the time.[145]
Analysis conducted by "Minneapolis for the Many of the organization's first-quarter financial disclosures indicated that approximately 68% of We Love Minneapolis PAC’s funding came from property owners and landlords, several of whom have faced recent property violations.[144] Notable donors include the Horning family, prominent property owners in the Twin Cities area, and Chris Kohler, owner of a local property management firm. The PAC reported receiving $132,890 in donations during the first quarter, with many donors residing outside of Minneapolis.[144]
After being fined four thousand dollars for failing to properly disclose a contribution of $35,000 from Downtown Council and a contribution of $72,585 from the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, We Love Minneapolis PAC disbanded.[146] The day after We Love Minneapolis PAC disbanded, Thrive MPLS, a new PAC, was formed with an overlap in staff.[147] Just like We Love Minneapolis, Thrive Minneapolis opposes DSA and DSA aligned candidates.
Minneapolis for the Many
"Minneapolis for the Many" promotes progressive policies and offers assistance to progressive candidates. It raised $213,714 in 2023.[148] Some have criticized its reliance on out of state donors, such as in 2024, 87% of the PAC’s funding came from the Movement Voter PAC, a Massachusetts-based group.[149]
All of Mpls
"All of Mpls" positions itself as politically moderate[150] and 99% of its funding came from Minnesota residents and unions,[149] with $963,295 raised in 2023.[151] All of Mpls has drawn criticism from some progressive commentators for its high fundraising from wealthy donors and charged rhetoric towards progressives.[142][152][141]
Notes
- Wonsley has used "Democratic Socialist" as the "political party or principle" on her ballot line. The Democratic Socialists of America is not a political party and Wonsley herself is an independent.