November 2025 brought a wave of political change — and resilience — across Minnesota’s Twin Cities. From Minneapolis to Saint Paul, voters showed what’s possible when communities get engaged, organize, and turn out.

Minneapolis: Frey Wins a Third Term, Reform Still on the Table

In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey secured a third term, defeating State Senator Omar Fateh in a hard-fought race that captured the city’s political divide.

The city’s ranked-choice voting system gave voters more options — but Frey won outright, reflecting a cautious vote for stability after years of upheaval. His campaign focused on experience and steady leadership, while Fateh’s grassroots movement pushed bold progressive ideas on housing, policing, and equity.

Frey’s win shows that Minneapolis residents want progress — but also want to see it managed carefully. However, this victory doesn’t mean voters are satisfied with the status quo. The energy around Fateh’s campaign makes clear that demands for deeper reform, public accountability, and housing justice are not going away.

Our take: Minneapolis voters kept an experienced mayor in office — but they sent a strong message that leadership must be responsive, transparent, and willing to deliver real change.

Key issues to watch:

• Police accountability and public safety reform
• Affordable housing and homelessness
• Economic equity and small business recovery

Saint Paul: Kaohly Her Makes History

Across the river in Saint Paul, voters made history. Kaohly Her, a state representative and community leader, unseated incumbent Melvin Carter III to become the city’s first woman and first Hmong-American mayor.

Her’s campaign resonated with working families, educators, and small business owners. She ran on a message of community investment, safety, and opportunity — and her victory was powered by diverse coalitions across the city.

Her’s win also underscores how powerful it is when new voices step forward and voters embrace representation that reflects the full diversity of our communities.

“This isn’t just my victory,” Her said on election night. “It’s a victory for every family that has ever felt unseen in our city.”

Why it matters:

• Her’s leadership marks a generational and cultural shift in Saint Paul.
• Her victory proves that representation and civic engagement go hand in hand.
• It’s a sign that voters are ready for leadership grounded in lived experience, empathy, and inclusion.

Two Cities, Two Paths — One Shared Future

These two elections tell a powerful story about the Twin Cities’ political moment:

• Minneapolis chose continuity with cautious optimism.
• Saint Paul embraced change and historic representation.

Together, they show that voters are thinking deeply about what progress means — and that civic engagement is driving that vision forward.

When we organize, when we vote, when we demand accountability — change happens.

What’s Next for Our Communities

Both mayors will now face big challenges:

• Strengthening trust between communities and law enforcement.
• Expanding access to affordable housing.
• Building inclusive economies that leave no one behind.

These are fights that go beyond elections — and advocacy groups, neighborhood leaders, and everyday residents have a critical role to play.

Our message: Democracy doesn’t end on Election Day. It starts there.

Stay Engaged. Stay Involved.

💬 Join our movement — sign up to receive action alerts and updates on local policy.
🗳️ Show up — attend your city council meetings and budget hearings.
📣 Speak out — share your vision for safer, fairer, more just Twin Cities.

Together, we can make sure that 2025’s victories — in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul — are just the beginning.