Cedrick Frazier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theMinnesota House of Representatives from the 43A district | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Lyndon Carlson |
| Member of theNew Hope City Council | |
| In office September 10, 2018 – December 31, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Erik Lammle |
| Succeeded by | Michael Isenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1979-04-28)April 28, 1979 (age 45) |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Stella |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | New Hope, Minnesota |
| Education | University of Minnesota-Morris (B.A.) Minnesota State University, Mankato (M.A.) William Mitchell College of Law (J.D.) |
| Occupation | |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Government websiteCampaign website |
Cedrick Rommel Frazier (born April 28, 1979) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of theMinnesota House of Representatives. A member of theMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 43A, which includes the cities ofNew Hope andCrystal inHennepin County.[1]
After graduating from high school inChicago, Illinois, Frazier moved toMinnesota to playNCAA football and run track at theUniversity of Minnesota-Morris, graduating with aB.A. in psychology.[2] Frazier went on to attendMinnesota State University, Mankato, where he served as a fellow with theUnited States Department of Housing and Urban Development, graduating with aM.A. in urban studies with an emphasis in local government management. After earning hisM.A., Frazier enrolled atWilliam Mitchell College of Law.[3] In law school, Frazier joinedPhi Beta Sigma andclerked for theHennepin County Public Defender's Office inMinneapolis as well as the League of Minnesota Cities in its Municipal Law Litigation Department.[4] After graduating with aJ.D and passing thebar exam, he began his legal career as apublic defender inHennepin County. In 2008, Frazier accepted the position of Director of Equity and Diversity for theMinneapolis Public School District and was later promoted to legal counsel for the district. After spending eight years in public education, Frazier joined the legal team atEducation Minnesota, the state's largest labor union.[5]
In August 2018, Frazier was appointed to the New Hope City Council, replacing Erik Lammle, who moved out of New Hope. Before his appointment, Frazier served on the city's Planning Commission.[6] Frazier was sworn in on September 10, 2018, and became the first African American to serve on the New Hope City Council.[7]
While a member of the council, Frazier encouraged engagement and dialogue between the City's Human Rights Commission and police department on policing practices. He also proposed ordinances related to protecting tenants of affordable housing units.[8]
Frazier was first elected to theMinnesota House of Representatives in2020, succeeding longtime Minnesota State RepresentativeLyndon Carlson.[9][5]
On January 1, 2021, Minnesota House SpeakerMelissa Hortman appointed Frazier vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee.[10]
Frazier advocated for reform in Minnesota's public safety and criminal justice system.[11] Minnesota had recently seennotable cases where Black men, includingGeorge Floyd andDaunte Wright, were killed during encounters with law enforcement. Frazier was described as a key budget negotiator in the politically divided legislature as it passed a $52 billion state budget, averting a potential state government shutdown.[12] Minnesota GovernorTim Walz credited him with helping keep police reform front and center during the legislative session.[13]
On July 13, 2021, Hortman appointed Frazier to serve on a select panel to determine the distribution of $250 million included in the Minnesota state budget dedicated to frontline workers. The funding was made possible by one-time federal funds from theAmerican Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[14] Frazier was Chief Author of the Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act, the original legislation that aimed to provide emergency paid sick leave to employees excluded from federalFamilies First Coronavirus Response Act.[15][16]
On September 1, 2021,HennepinCounty AttorneyMike Freeman announced that he would retire at the end of his term after 24 years in the role.[17] Frazier became widely seen as a potential candidate for the position.[18] But after expressing interest in it, Frazier announced that he had concluded that 2022 was not the right time for him to run for HennepinCounty Attorney.[19][20] On December 6, 2021, Frazier endorsed former Hennepin County chief public defenderMary Moriarty for Hennepin County Attorney.[21]
On December 13, 2022, Frazier was elected co-chair of the Minnesota House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus along with RepresentativeEsther Agbaje.[22]
2025-2027[23]
2023-2025[24]
2021-2023[10]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Cedrick Frazier | 13,845 | 66.33% | |
| Republican | Todd Hesemann | 6,999 | 33.53% | |
| Write-in | 29 | 0.14% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Cedrick Frazier | 12,266 | 96.64% | |
| Write-In | 427 | 3.36% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Cedrick Frazier | 13,870 | 63.08% | |
| Republican | Jesse Pfliger | 8,086 | 36.77% | |
| Write-in | 32 | 0.15% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Cedrick Frazier | 3,697 | 68.77% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Daonna Depoister | 1,679 | 31.23% | |
Frazier and his wife, Stella, have three daughters. Their family resides inNew Hope, Minnesota.[3]