2025 Minneapolis municipal election

2025 Minneapolis municipal election

November 4, 2025 (2025-11-04)

A general election was held in Minneapolis on November 4, 2025. Minneapolis's mayor was up for election as well as all the seats on the City Council, the two elected seats on the Board of Estimate and Taxation, and all the seats on the Park and Recreation Board. Voters were able to rank up to three candidates for each office in order of preference. City offices are formally nonpartisan, though the offices of mayor and city council allow candidates to list a party or preference.[1]

The candidate filing period was from July 29 to August 12, 2025. Early in-person and mail voting began on September 19, 2025.[2]

Mayor

There was an election for Mayor of Minneapolis in 2025.[3] Incumbent Jacob Frey was elected to a third term.[4] The Minneapolis DFL endorsed one of his challengers, Omar Fateh,[5] though the endorsement was later revoked by the state party.[6]

City Council

All 13 seats on the Minneapolis City Council were up for election to a four-year term.[3] Each resident of Minneapolis can elect one city councilor in a single-member district. Because of re-districting, members were last elected in 2021 and 2023 for two-year terms instead of the usual four.[7]

Park and Recreation Board

All 6 districts and 3 at-large seats on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board were on the ballot in 2025.[3] Meg Forney, Tom Olsen, and Amber Frederick won seats.[8]

At-large

Candidates

  • Matthew Dowgwillo[9]
  • Meg Forney, incumbent commissioner [10]
  • Amber Frederick[11]
  • Mary McKelvey[12]
  • Tim Peterson[9]
  • Adam Schneider[12]
  • Averi M. Turner[12]
  • Tom Olsen, incumbent commissioner[13]
  • Michael Wilson[14]

Endorsements

Amber Frederick
Political parties
Labor unions
Tom Olsen
Political parties
Labor unions
Adam Schneider
Michael Wilson
Political parties
Political organizations
Labor unions

Results

Minneapolis Park and Recreation at-large results
Affiliation Candidate FPV (%) Votes per round Status
1 2 3 4 5
Non-partisan Meg Forney 22.38 25,368 26,343 28,610 34,085 28,338[a] Elected
Non-partisan Tom Olsen 20.11 22,796 23,175 25,347 26,665 27,487 Elected
Non-partisan Amber A. Frederick 15.05 17,056 18,338 20,373 22,261 23,187 Elected
Non-partisan Michael Wilson 13.49 15,291 15,833 18,617 19,705 19,978 Lost
Non-partisan Mary McKelvey 10.69 12,116 12,914 14,904 Eliminated
Non-partisan Matthew Dowgwillo 6.27 7,112 7,524 Eliminated
Non-partisan Adam Schneider 6.25 7,083 7,494 Eliminated
Non-partisan Averi M. Turner 5.40 6,118 Eliminated
Write-ins N/a 0.36 408 Eliminated
Exhausted ballots 1,727 5,497 10,642 14,357
Total votes 113,348
Threshold 28,338
Undervotes 34,354
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[8]


District 1

Park Board District 1 is located in northeast and southeast Minneapolis. It includes the whole Northeast community, the neighborhoods of Como, Marshall Terrace, Mid City Industrial, Prospect Park/East River Road, and Sheridan, the University of Minnesota area, and part of Marcy Holmes. Dan Engelhart won the seat with 59% of the vote.[18]

Candidates

Withdrawn
  • Billy Menz, incumbent commissioner[19][20]

Endorsements

Billy Menz (withdrawn)
Labor unions
Dan Engelhart
Political parties

Results

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 1 results
Party Candidate Round 1
Votes %
Non-partisan Dan Engelhart 9,641 59.1%
Non-partisan Dan Miller 6,582 40.4%
Write-in Write-ins 89 0.5%
Total active votes 16,312 100.0%
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[18]

District 2

Park Board District 2 is located in north Minneapolis. It includes the communities of Camden and Near North and part of the North Loop. Charles Rucker won reelection with 98% of the vote.[21]

Candidates

  • Charles Rucker, incumbent commissioner (at-large)

Endorsements

Charles Rucker
Political parties
Labor unions

Results

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 2 results
Party Candidate Round 1
Votes %
Non-partisan Charles Rucker 8,447 97.70%
Write-in Write-ins 199 2.30%
Total active votes 8,646 100.0%
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[21]

District 3

Park Board District 3 is located in south-central Minneapolis. It includes the neighborhoods of Cedar Riverside, Cooper, Corcoran, Howe, Longfellow, Powderhorn Park, Seward, and all of Phillips. Kedar Deshpande won the seat with 98% of the vote.[22]

Candidates

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Kedar Deshpande
Political parties
Labor unions

Results

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 3 results
Party Candidate Round 1
Votes %
Non-partisan Kedar Deshpande 8,633 98.05%
Write-in Write-ins 172 1.95%
Total active votes 8,805 100.0%
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[22]

District 4

District 4 is centrally located in Minneapolis. It includes most of the Central community, the neighborhoods of Bryn Mawr, Cedar-Isles-Dean, Kenwood, Lowry Hill, The Wedge, Nicollet Island, and Whittier, and parts of Marcy Holmes,and East Bde Maka Ska. Incumbent commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer did not seek re-election, instead running for city council in ward 7.[24] Jason Garcia won the seat with a final percentage of 51.5%.[25]

Candidates

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Jason Garcia
Political parties
Labor unions

Results

Minneapolis Park and Recreation District 4 results
Affiliation Candidate FPV (%) Votes per round Status
1 2
Non-partisan Jason Garcia 48.27 9,506 10,142 Elected
Non-partisan Jeanette Colby 42.92 8,451 8,939 Lost
Non-partisan Andrew Gebo 8.38 1,650 Eliminated
Write-ins N/a 0.43 85 Eliminated
Exhausted ballots 611
Total votes 19,692
Threshold 9,847
Undervotes 6,838
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[25]

District 5

Park Board District 5 is in South Minneapolis. It covers the Nokomis community and most of Longfellow and Powderhorn. Kay Carvajal Moran won the seat with a final percentage of 52.9%.[30]

Candidates

Kay Carvajal Moran
U.S Representatives
Labor unions
Political Organizations
  • Women Winning
Decline to Endorse
Political parties

Results

Minneapolis Park and Recreation District 5 results
Affiliation Candidate FPV (%) Votes per round Status
1 2
Non-partisan Kay Carvajal Moran 47.96 12,901 14,237 Elected
Non-partisan Steffanie Musich 36.39 9,789 10,932 Lost
Non-partisan Justin Theodore Cermak 9.11 2,451 Eliminated
Non-partisan Colton Baldus 6.18 1,661 Eliminated
Write-ins N/a 0.35 95 Eliminated
Exhausted ballots 1,728
Total votes 26,897
Threshold 13,449
Undervotes 7,571
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[30]

District 6

Park Board District 6 is in southwest Minneapolis. It consists of the Southwest community, the neighborhoods of Lyndale, South Uptown, and West Maka Ska, and part of East Bde Maka Ska. Cathy Abene won reelection with 65% of the vote.[34]

Candidates

  • Cathy Abene, incumbent commissioner[35]
  • Ira Jourdain[9]

Endorsements

Ira Jourdain
Political parties
Labor unions

Results

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board District 6 results
Party Candidate Round 1
Votes %
Non-partisan Cathy Abene 17,746 65.16%
Non-partisan Ira Jourdain 9,399 34.51%
Write-in Write-ins 90 0.33%
Total active votes 27,235 100.0%
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[34]

Board of Estimate and Taxation

The two directly elected, at-large seats on the Board of Estimate and Taxation were for election.[3] The board also includes the mayor and representatives from the city's other elected bodies.[36] Eric Harris Bernstein and Steve Brandt won seats.[37]

Candidates

  • Eric Harris Bernstein[12]
  • Steve Brandt, incumbent[38]
  • Bob Fine[11]

Withdrawn

  • Samantha Pree-Stinson, incumbent[39]

Endorsements

Steve Brandt
Political parties
Bob Fine
Political parties

Results

Board of Estimate and Taxation at-large results
Party Candidate Round 1
Votes %
Non-partisan Eric Harris Bernstein 42,829 40.1%
Non-partisan Steve Brandt 35,911 33.7%
Non-partisan Bob Fine 27,445 25.7%
Write-in Write-ins 497 0.5%
Total active votes 106,682 100.0%
Source: Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services[37]

Notes

  1. ^ Elected in previous round; reduction in votes is distributed surplus.

References

  1. ^ "Candidate Filing FAQ". City of Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Elections Calendar". City of Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "What's on the Ballot?". City of Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  4. ^ Winter, Deena (November 4, 2024). "Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey plans to run for re-election, and others might challenge him". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  5. ^ Leingang, Rachel (July 21, 2025). "Minneapolis Democrats endorse democratic socialist for mayor over incumbent". The Guardian. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  6. ^ Cox, Peter; Kelley, Cait (August 22, 2025). "Minnesota DFL rescinds Minneapolis mayoral endorsement". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  7. ^ Navratil, Liz (November 4, 2020). "Minneapolis voters approve election changes for City Council". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "2025 Parks & Recreation Commissioner At Large results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "Candidates seeking Minneapolis DFL endorsement for Park Board". Minneapolis DFL. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  10. ^ "Meg Forney for Minneapolis Parks". Meg Forney for Minneapolis Parks. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Minneapolis DFL Endorsements". Minneapolis DFL. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Candidate filings for 2025". Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  13. ^ "Olsen for Parks". Olsen for Parks. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  14. ^ "Michael For Parks". Michael For Parks. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i "2025 Endorsements". Minneapolis Regional Labor Foundation, AFL-CIO. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  16. ^ "Our Candidates & Electeds". Green Party of Minnesota. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "2025 Endorsements". Twin Cities DSA. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "2025 Parks & Recreation Board District 1 results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  19. ^ "Activate OUR Parks". Activate OUR Parks. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  20. ^ Menz, Billy. "DFL Endorsement". Billy Menz for Parks. MailChimp. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "2025 Park & Recreation Board District 2 results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "2025 Parks & Recreation Board District 3 results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Candidates seeking Minneapolis DFL endorsement for Park Board". Minneapolis DFL. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  24. ^ Hoffman, Melody (January 31, 2025). "Elizabeth Shaffer is running for City Council in Ward 7". Southwest Voices. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "2025 Parks & Recreation Board District 4 results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  26. ^ "Jason for Parks". Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  27. ^ "Gebo 4 Park Board". Gebo 4 Park Board. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  28. ^ "Paula for Parks". Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  29. ^ Zbikowski, Conrad. "Update on my campaign". Conrad Lange Zbikowski. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  30. ^ a b "2025 Parks & Recreation Board District 5 results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  31. ^ Atkins, C.T (November 6, 2025). "Communist Party members run for office, strengthening communities and building coalitions". People’s World.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "Steffanie Musich for MPLS Park Board Commissioner District 5". Steffanie Musich for MPLS Park Board Commissioner District 5. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  33. ^ "Minneapolis DFLers: Don't Endorse Union Busters". liunaminnesota.org. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "2025 Parks & Recreation Board District 6 results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  35. ^ "Park Board Candidate". Cathy Abene V2. January 1, 1970. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  36. ^ "Board Details: Board of Estimate and Taxation". Legislative Information Management System. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  37. ^ a b "2025 Board of Estimate and Taxation results". vote.minneapolismn.gov. City of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  38. ^ "Minneapolis Board of Estimate & Taxation candidate". Brandt for BET. January 1, 1970. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  39. ^ Gordon, Cam (October 3, 2025). "Board of Estimate and Taxation election is this year, too". Longfellow Nokomis Messenger. Retrieved November 8, 2025.

Campaign websites

Park Board

Board of Estimate and Taxation