Ellison Projected Winner In Minneapolis Ward 5: Election Results

MINNEAPOLIS — Unofficial results from the city of Minneapolis show that progressive incumbent Jeremiah Ellison defeated conservative challenger, Assemblies of God pastor Victor Martinez in the City Council Ward 5 race.

Here were the unofficial vote tallies, per the Minnesota Secretary of State Office:

First choice

• Victor Martinez: 1,296, 40.90%
• Jeremiah Bey Ellison: 1,665, 52.54%
• Phillip "OMac" Peterson: 112, 3.53%
• WRITE-IN: 96, 3.03%

Second choice

• Victor Martinez: 616, 29.39%
• Jeremiah Bey Ellison: 455, 21.71%
• Phillip "OMac" Peterson: 888, 42.37%
• WRITE-IN: 137, 6.54%

Third choice

• Victor Martinez: 455, 30.70%
• Jeremiah Bey Ellison: 354, 23.89%
• Phillip "OMac" Peterson: 492, 33.20%
• WRITE-IN: 181, 12.21%

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Most city council races in Minneapolis feature candidates who try to outflank each other on the left. But the Ward 5 race features Martinez, the most conservative candidate in Minneapolis this cycle.

During the campaign, Martinez emphasized support for police and public safety.

"For over 40 years North residents have been asking for safety and prosperity, and it has not been given to them," Martinez states on his website. "I am able, willing and ready to take the Northside in that direction."

He also says that "Public safety is not only the responsibility of law enforcement but of government officials and the COMMUNITY itself."

Martinez also supports "common-sense reform in zoning" by protecting "the last place in Minneapolis where community members can purchase a starter home."

Referencing Ellison's focus on global issues, Martinez said that "We need council members that are not interested in making a national headline every other week."

Meanwhile, Ellison, the son of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was the most ardent supporter of the 2020 plan to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department, which ultimately failed at the ballot box.

Ellison's key issues include affordable housing and renter's rights in north Minneapolis and environmental justice.

Ellison's achievements in office include co-authoring the city’s Tenant Protection ordinance, the Renter First policy, and establishing the city’s Tenant Relocation Ordinance, Emergency Repair Board, and Emergency Stabilization pilot program.

A third candidate, political newcomer Phillip "OMac" Peterson, told the Star Tribune he is conservative on gun laws but liberal on marijuana policies, opposes current rent control proposals, and supports incentivizing police officers to patrol and live in north Minneapolis.

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party did not endorse any candidates in the Ward 5 election.