Ever since he first ran for mayor in 2017, Jacob Frey has talked a big game. Whether it’s promising to end homelessness in 5 years in his first election or telling voters he had addressed police reform by banning no-knock warrants in 2021, Mayor Frey is happy to tell voters what they want to hear.
But his actual record as mayor tells a much different story.
From public safety and homelessness to environmental justice and the basic functions of city government, Frey’s words rarely match reality. Read more below to find out Mayor Frey’s actual record.
On Public Safety
Last time Jacob Frey ran for mayor, he told voters he had banned the use of no-knock warrants in Minneapolis. A month into Frey’s 2nd term, Amir Locke was killed by MPD Officer Mark Hanneman while executing a no-knock warrant. Turns out Frey’s line about no-knock warrants was a lie.
While the best excuse Frey could muster was that he had become “more casual” with his language during his campaign, this tragedy exemplifies Frey’s approach to public safety.
But it gets worse: recent reporting by MPR revealed that Mark Hanneman is now in charge of use-of-force training for MPD.
Five years after the murder of George Floyd, there have been few permanent police reforms, but there have been massive pay raises for MPD officers and millions of dollars in increased funding for police every year. It’s clear we will never see real reform under Frey.
On Housing & Homelessness
When Jacob Frey first ran for mayor in 2017, he infamously promised to end homelessness in 5 years. Eight years later, homelessness in Minneapolis is no better than when he first ran.
And since Mayor Frey can’t rely on actual data, he started making up his own. Earlier this year, Frey claimed there were only “27 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness across our city.” But Hennepin County data showed 628 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, with over 85% likely in Minneapolis.
Governance
In 8 yrs as mayor, Frey’s two trademarks have been:
Appointing loyalists
Presiding over unprecedented City staff turnover
His cronyism has put his friends in high-paying roles, often displacing qualified, diverse staff. Just look at the appointment of Heather Johnston. In 2022, 17 staff sent a letter to interim City Coordinator Heather Johnston detailing a toxic and racist environment in her office. They asked for specific remedies and were ignored.
At the time, Johnston was under consideration to take on the role permanently. Many additional current and former City employees signed on to the letter and testified in front of City Council, asking the Mayor not to consider her for a leadership position. Instead Frey ignored staff's concerns and elected to elevate Heather Johnston as City Coordinator.
Frey is a disaster as an executive. A third term of Jacob Frey would mean four more years of high staff turnover and toxic work environments under Frey appointed loyalists like Heather Johnston. Residents and City staff alike deserve a Mayor who will listen to their concerns.
On LGBTQ+ Rights
Frey’s campaign honored pride month by claiming that he’ll “keep pushing for inclusion and equity.” But when the LGBTQ+ community is under threat or asking for resources, Frey is nowhere to be seen.
Earlier this year, Frey ally Rev Jerry McAfee stormed Council chambers, making threatening and homophobic remarks to Council Member Jason Chavez. Instead of standing up for his colleague on Council and other members of the LGBTQ+ community who work in City Hall, Frey was silent.
When City Council passed vital services for trans youth as part of the 2025 budget, Frey cavalierly dismissed them as “yoga in the park.” Minneapolis deserves a mayor who will stand up for the LGBTQ+ community every day of the year, not just offer empty words each June 1st.
Environmental Justice
Five years after urging bold action for East Phillips, when the neighborhood proposed a transformative, community-led urban farm on a contaminated site (a plan meeting health, equity, and climate goals) Frey vetoed the deal and insisted on a financial ransom instead of action.
“It’s just disappointing,” said Cassandra Holmes, after hearing Frey pledge support for the farm during his campaign visit.
“Roof Depot can be a healing center… we are protecting our community from increased pollution,” said organizer Joe Vital.
In East Phillips, where asthma, food scarcity, and environmental racism are daily tragedies, Mayor Frey refused to act when it counted.
On ICE & Immigration
For months, Mayor Frey was campaigning on his promise that the City would not cooperate with ICE under his watch.
But when masked ICE agents with assault rifles showed up on the corner of Lake and Bloomington on June 3rd, MPD was on the scene to assist with crowd control.
Instead of calling out the Trump administration for their dangerous and unnecessary show of force in our community, Frey accused other elected officials of “spreading misinformation” about ICE’s presence. As usual, Frey refused to back up his claims with any evidence.
Just yesterday, the Star Tribune reported that the owner of the restaurant raided by the ICE-led task force has been held in ICE custody for weeks for an “immigration case.” While he was at the Freeborn County Jail, he has since been moved and his whereabouts are now unknown.
When Minneapolis only faced the potential threat of an ICE raid, Frey was eager to say he’d stand up for us. But as soon as they showed up on our streets, we saw which side he was on. With three more years of Trump in office, we can’t afford Frey’s cowardice.
