A mayoral election was held on November 2, 2021, to elect themayor of the U.S. city ofMinneapolis . IncumbentDFL mayorJacob Frey won reelection to a second term, becoming the first Minneapolis mayor to win a second term sinceR. T. Rybak in2005 . Minneapolis mayoral elections useinstant-runoff voting , also known as ranked-choice voting. All candidates appear on the same ballot and there is noprimary election , nor is there arunoff . Minneapolis'stwin city ,Saint Paul , also held amayoral election on the same day, using the same system.
The election came in the wake of a tumultuous period for Minneapolis, deeply affected by themurder of George Floyd and subsequentcivil unrest .[ 2] 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]
Frey announced his candidacy for mayor of Minneapolis on January 3, 2017,[ 6] November 7 election .[ 7] [ 8]
Frey is Minneapolis's second Jewish mayor, and its second-youngest afterAl Hofstede , who was 34 when he was elected in 1973.[ 9] affordable housing and improving police-community relations.
Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins (Libertarian ), unconventional Libertarian[ 10] [ 11] A. J. Awed (DFL ), co-executive director of theCedar-Riverside Community Council[ 12] [ 11] Troy Benjegerdes (DFL ), software engineer and candidate for mayor in2013 and2017 [ 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, andTeamster Union steward[ 11] SevenDFL members of theMinnesota 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 weresenators Scott Dibble andOmar Fateh andrepresentatives Esther Agbaje ,Jim Davnie ,Aisha Gomez ,Emma Greenman , andHodan Hassan . The letter stops short of endorsing any specific candidate,[ 26] [ 27] [ 28]
Jacob Frey (incumbent, DFL)
Federal officials
Statewide officials
Local officials
Labor unions
Kate Knuth (DFL)
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Party caucuses
Minnesota DFL Environmental Caucus[ 11] Organizations
Sheila Nezhad (DFL)
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Aisha Gomez , Minnesota state representative from District 62B(dual endorsement with Kate Knuth) [ 36] Local officials
Party caucuses
Organizations
Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins (L)
Individuals
Party caucuses
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]
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ A] Margin RCV A. J. Awed
Others Exhausted Undecided ALG Research (D)[ 54] [ 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%
2021 Minneapolis mayoral general election[ 55] Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Votes % Votes % Jacob Frey 61,620 70,669 Sheila June Nezhad 30,368 Eliminated Kate Knuth 26,468 55,007 A. J. Awed 6,860 Eliminated Laverne Turner 4,620 Eliminated Clint Conner 4,309 Eliminated Bob Carney 2,788 Eliminated Marcus Harcus 1,189 Eliminated Nate Atkins 1,179 Eliminated Mark Globus 1,158 Eliminated Doug Nelson 739 Eliminated Jerrell Perry 687 Eliminated Mike Winter 642 Eliminated Christopher David 493 Eliminated Kevin Ward 282 Eliminated Paul Johnson 243 Eliminated Troy Benjegerdes 184 Eliminated Write-ins 145 Eliminated Inactive ballots 0 ballots 18,298 ballots Total 143,974 100.0% 143,974 100.0%
Alluvial diagram of vote-preference distribution[ 55]
2021 Minneapolis mayoral general election[ 55] Party Candidate Maximum Maximum Share in Maximum votes First round votes Transfer 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%
^ The following candidates filed campaign finance reports withHennepin County . Doug Nelson and Kevin Ward did not file a report, and thus are not listed. Partisan clients
^ Key: ^ This poll was sponsored by All of Mpls, which supports Frey ^ "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 . RetrievedNovember 11, 2023 . ^ Gustavo, Solomon (June 18, 2021)."Four takeaways from the Minneapolis DFL's mayoral endorsement process" .MinnPost . RetrievedMarch 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 . RetrievedMarch 2, 2024 . ^ Collins, Jon; Birnstengel, Grace (October 20, 2021)."Voter guide: Minneapolis mayoral candidates" .MPR News . RetrievedMarch 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. RetrievedFebruary 15, 2017 . ^ Belz, Adam (November 9, 2017)."Jacob Frey wins mayor election in Minneapolis" .Star Tribune .Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. RetrievedNovember 8, 2017 . ^ "2017 Mayor Election Results Tabulation - Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services" .vote.minneapolismn.gov .Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. RetrievedNovember 8, 2017 .^ Belz, Adam (November 9, 2017)."Jacob Frey wins mayor election in Minneapolis" . Star Tribune.Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. RetrievedApril 5, 2018 . ^ "Nate Atkins for Mayor" . RetrievedJuly 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)" .Ballotpedia . RetrievedAugust 13, 2025 .^ "A.J. Awed joins race for Minneapolis mayor" .Star Tribune . RetrievedJune 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 fromthe original on August 10, 2021. RetrievedAugust 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. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. RetrievedMay 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 . RetrievedAugust 10, 2021 .^ "Ex-Rep. Kate Knuth jumps into Minneapolis mayoral race to take on Jacob Frey" .news.yahoo.com . RetrievedJune 8, 2021 .^ "Sheila for the People" .Sheila for the People . Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. RetrievedJune 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 . RetrievedMarch 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. RetrievedOctober 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 . RetrievedOctober 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" . Archived from the original on March 2, 2021.^ 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. RetrievedNovember 9, 2021 – viaTwitter . ^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 fromthe original on July 9, 2021. RetrievedJuly 4, 2021 .^ "NIAC Action endorses Sheila Nezhad for Minneapolis Mayor" .^ "Meet Our 2021 Candidates" .#VOTEPROCHOICE . Archived fromthe original on February 14, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 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. RetrievedNovember 9, 2021 – viaTwitter . ^ "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. RetrievedOctober 11, 2021 – viaTwitter . ^ "Legal Marijuana Now Party (LMN) - End Cannabis Prohibition" .legalmarijuananow . RetrievedMarch 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. RetrievedOctober 11, 2021 – viaTwitter . ^ "Candidates" .^ "2021 Candidates" . February 7, 2021. RetrievedMarch 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. RetrievedOctober 11, 2021 – viaTwitter . ^ "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 fromthe original on October 30, 2021. RetrievedJanuary 11, 2022 .^ ALG Research (D) ^a b c Minneapolis, City of (November 2, 2021)."2021 Mayor results" .City of Minneapolis . RetrievedAugust 29, 2022 . Official campaign websites
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