2 Top MN Dems Oppose Minneapolis Dismantle-Police Ballot Proposal

MINNEAPOLIS — Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Angie Craig are the first two high-ranking state Democrats to come out against a ballot proposal that would dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.

"It's been distilled down to this: Defund police or fund police? I know it’s more complex than that, but I think that poses problems," the governor told FOX 9. "So, I don’t think I would have this ballot question on there. I think there’s other ways to do it."

Craig, who represents the state's 2nd Congressional District — which does not include Minneapolis — said in a statement that she is "strongly opposed to the Minneapolis Ballot Initiative, which I believe would jeopardize public safety and diminish accountability."

"The Yes 4 Minneapolis referendum is shortsighted, misguided and likely to harm the very communities that it seeks to protect," she added.

"Furthermore, the passage of an amendment that could lead to the dismissal of Chief Medaria Arradondo at a time when his sound, trusted leadership is needed more than ever is simply unimaginable. Given the gravity of this situation and the implications that it could have on our great state and region, I feel a responsibility to speak out against this initiative, which would create confusion and uncertainty around public safety in the largest city in our state — while potentially undermining the safety and security of our communities."

Last week, the Minneapolis City Council approved a ballot question that proposes to amend the city's charter.

The ballot question asks voters if they want to replace the police department with a "Department of Public Safety" controlled directly by the city.

The question will appear on all ballots in Minneapolis for the Nov. 2 election.

The City Council had to override a veto from Mayor Jacob Frey to get the ballot question approved. Frey criticized the council for approving language that "failed to meet the most basic standards of transparency."

"The ballot language leaves voters in the dark and our residents without essential information at the ballot box," Frey said in a news release.

The question on the ballot will read:

Department of Public Safety

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to strike and replace the Police Department with a Department of Public Safety which could include licensed peace officers (police officers), if necessary, with administrative authority to be consistent with other city departments to fulfill its responsibilities for public safety?

Minneapolis voters will respond with a simple "Yes" or "No" on the ballot.

"Minneapolis is ready for a higher standard of public safety, and now residents will get to vote on their terms," Yes 4 Minneapolis, a police reform advocacy group, said after the ballot amendment was approved.

"Like many times before, the status quo attempted to stop the will of the people. But today, democracy prevailed and now the people of Minneapolis will get to decide."

The movement to dismantle the department gained steam following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. However, the push hit several roadblocks in 2020.