04-03-2025
Andrea Jenkins won't seek reelection to Minneapolis City Council
Andrea Jenkins has announced she won't seek reelection for her Ward 8 seat on Minneapolis City Council.
Jenkins confirmed in a Monday newsletter she won't be seeking a fourth term, having represented the Lyndale and Kingfield neighborhoods since first being elected in 2017.
"After several months of introspection and vacillation, I've decided this is my last term in office. I will not be seeking a fourth term as a Minneapolis City council member. It has, indeed, been the honor of my life to serve as your council member," Jenkins said.
Jenkins became the first Black transgender person to be elected to public office in the United States in 2017, and made history again in 2022 after she was named the first openly transgender city council president.
"I served as council president and vice president during some of the most challenging times in Minneapolis history. I'm very proud of to be supported by voters in Ward 8. I'm grateful for the people who worked to support a strong Ward 8, elevating women, people of color and our LGBTQIA+ community," Jenkins said in a statement.
As council president, Jenkins called George Floyd's murder by police in 2020 at the time "a symbol for a knee on the neck of Black America." His murder sparked nationwide protests in the spring and summer of that year.
The Democrat has been working in city government since 2001, when she was appointed to the role of policy aide by Robert Lilligren.
Jenkins touched on highlights during her tenure, including:
Minneapolis adopting a $15 minimum wage
Becoming one of the first cities to take a question about criminal backgrounds off job applications
Passing the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
"As this year progresses, I will take time to detail and highlight more accomplishments and thank you's," Jenkins said. "There is still most of this year ahead us. Minneapolis is a great city and I believe Ward 8 is the soul of this city. We have a lot of work to do."
