Mayor of Minneapolis

Mayor of Minneapolis is the chief executive of the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The office is responsible for overseeing the Minneapolis City Council, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and various city departments, including the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Fire Department. The Mayor of Minneapolis works closely with neighboring cities, such as St. Paul, Minnesota, and regional organizations like the Metropolitan Council. The Mayor also collaborates with state officials, including the Governor of Minnesota and members of the Minnesota Legislature, to address regional issues.

History of the Office

The office of the Mayor of Minneapolis was established in 1867, when Minneapolis was incorporated as a city. The first mayor, Dorilus Morrison, served from 1867 to 1869 and played a key role in shaping the city's early development, including the construction of the Stone Arch Bridge and the establishment of the University of Minnesota. Over the years, the office has evolved to meet the changing needs of the city, with mayors like Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale going on to hold higher offices, including the United States Senate and the Vice President of the United States. The Mayor of Minneapolis has also worked with other regional leaders, such as the Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, to address issues like transportation and economic development, including the construction of the Light Rail Transit system and the development of the Bloomington, Minnesota area.

Powers and Responsibilities

The Mayor of Minneapolis has a range of powers and responsibilities, including serving as the chief executive of the city, overseeing the city's budget, and appointing members to various city boards and commissions, such as the Minneapolis Planning Commission and the Minneapolis Board of Education. The Mayor also works closely with the Minneapolis City Council to pass legislation and make key decisions about the city's future, including the development of the Downtown East, Minneapolis area and the renovation of the U.S. Bank Stadium. The Mayor is also responsible for representing the city at the state and national levels, including working with the Minnesota Governor's Office and the United States Conference of Mayors. Additionally, the Mayor collaborates with local organizations, such as the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and the Minneapolis Foundation, to promote economic development and address social issues.

List of Mayors

The list of mayors of Minneapolis includes Dorilus Morrison, John S. Pillsbury, George Ethelbert Walsh, Hubert Humphrey, Arthur Naftalin, Charles Stenvig, Donald Fraser, Al Hofstede, Sharon Sayles Belton, R.T. Rybak, Betsy Hodges, and Jacob Frey. These mayors have played important roles in shaping the city's history, from the early days of Minneapolis as a small town on the Mississippi River to its current status as a thriving metropolitan area, with attractions like the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Many of these mayors have also gone on to hold other public offices, including the Minnesota State Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

Elections and Term

The Mayor of Minneapolis is elected to a four-year term, with elections held in November of each even-numbered year. The Mayor is limited to serving two consecutive terms, although they may run for office again after a four-year hiatus. The election process involves a primary election in August, followed by a general election in November, with candidates often seeking endorsements from local organizations, such as the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. The Mayor's term begins on January 1 of the following year, with the inauguration ceremony typically held at Minneapolis City Hall.

Current Mayor

The current Mayor of Minneapolis is Jacob Frey, who was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. During his time in office, Frey has focused on issues like affordable housing, public safety, and economic development, including the development of the North Loop, Minneapolis area and the renovation of the Target Center. Frey has also worked to address social issues, such as homelessness and racial equity, through initiatives like the Minneapolis Homelessness Response and the Racial Equity Action Plan. As Mayor, Frey has represented Minneapolis at the national level, including attending meetings of the United States Conference of Mayors and working with other mayors, such as the Mayor of New York City and the Mayor of Los Angeles.

Former Mayors

Former mayors of Minneapolis have gone on to hold a range of public and private offices, including Hubert Humphrey, who served as Vice President of the United States under Lyndon B. Johnson, and Walter Mondale, who served as Vice President of the United States under Jimmy Carter. Other former mayors, such as Donald Fraser and Sharon Sayles Belton, have continued to be involved in local politics and community organizations, including the Minneapolis NAACP and the Minneapolis Urban League. The legacy of these former mayors continues to shape the city of Minneapolis, with many of their initiatives and policies still in place today, including the development of the Minneapolis Park System and the establishment of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency.