Patch Candidate Profile: Nate Atkins For Minneapolis Mayor

MINNEAPOLIS — Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins is one of 17 candidates running for Minneapolis mayor in the Nov. 2 election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Atkins and his wife Kati have a daughter, Audrey.

Are you running for office in Minneapolis? Contact William Bornhoft at william.bornhoft@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Town of Residence: Minneapolis

Party Affiliation: Libertarian Party/Legal Marijuana Party

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Architecture - U of MN / Twin Cities

Occupation: Customer Service & Warranty Manager for a local homebuilder. I have roughly 20 years of experience in residential construction.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m running for mayor of Minneapolis because I’m sick and tired – because I’ve had enough.

It started years ago but it’s gotten worse in the past 10 months. You see, in the wake of the death of George Floyd a much needed “pulling back of the curtain” happened. For once, people were focused and united on issues like qualified immunity, ending no-knock warrants, and real, true police reform.

They were able to see behind the curtain at what was really, truly happening that caused and drove the abuse by the police. But in the following weeks and months of Floyd’s death people became divided and lost focus of what is truly needed for police reform. It left me tired. It left me exhausted. Watching the city I love and the city I live in devolve into chaos, looting, and violence with seemingly no hope in sight left me beaten down and, quite frankly, feeling like I shouldn’t give a (expletive).

But this is the city I love. I love the arts in this city. I love the murals I see as I drive down Lyndale on my way into work each morning. I love the food. I love the restaurants (I’m a huge foodie). I love the food at Colita and Young Joni. I love the Grain Belt sign. I loved the sign at Minnehaha Liquors. I love Sea Salt and Minnehaha Falls. I love the culture. I love how many different people there are here. I love the lakes. I love my daily jogs along Minnehaha Creek. I love the architecture. I love the energy that this city gives off (even if it includes the damn airport noise that wakes me up at 5:00am). This city is different. It’s not like other cities and that’s good. This city IS good – even if it’s lost its way.

I could post a bunch of pictures here of me and my wife and my daughter and my dogs like every other candidate does. I could tell you a bunch of meaningless crap about me and my family but whatevs. I don’t want to be like every other candidate.

As a Libertarian I’m not here to tear down all that is in this city in the name of creating some sort of Libertarian utopia. I believe these Libertarian ideals related to police reform are good, realistic ones that help restore faith and trust between the people and law enforcement. I’m not like other Libertarians. At the end of the day, in the words of the great Walter Williams, “I’m just me.”

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Police accountability. I intend to do the following three things: 1. Work to end qualified immunity 2. Require police carry professional liability insurance 3. Decriminalize all drug use & possession.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Other candidates seem to fall into either the "Defund the police" or "Back the blue" camps. I stand in a sensible middle where the people can have safe streets while not fearing an unaccountable police force.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Jacob Frey has failed a leader on so many levels. If he were an effective leader we would have the proper checks & balances on police power and safe neighborhoods in the city.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Local officials have failed miserably in their response to Covid. I would have promoted a plan of targeted protection where resources are targeted towards those who are vulnerable (the elderly and those with comobidities) while allowing those who are not vulnerable to live their lives. In the words of Donald Henderson (the man credited with eradicating smallpox): “Experience has shown that communities faced with epidemics or other adverse events respond best and with the least anxiety when the normal social functioning of the community is least disrupted. Strong political and public health leadership to provide reassurance and to ensure that needed medical care services are provided are critical elements. If either is seen to be less than optimal, a manageable epidemic could move toward catastrophe.”

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have managed groups of individuals and worked with customers to understand and address their concerns. At the end of the day I have been a leader in many facets of my professional career.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

It is better to be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want to leave you alone so you can pursue a life in accordance with your own values so long as you don't hurt other people and take their stuff.

Editor's note: The candidate responses were lightly edited to fit Patch's style guidelines.