The Minneapolis DFL convention for Mayor, Park Board, and Board of Estimate and Taxation is set for July 19–20. Given the stress, angst, and anger that surfaced at some ward conventions, we expect similar dynamics may emerge at the city convention.
We’re working to schedule an interview with Mayor Jacob Frey. If all goes well, that conversation will be available next Wednesday. Dwayne Davis has suspended his campaign due to his mother’s death, and it’s unclear if or when he’ll re-enter the race. We’ve reached out to Omar Fateh multiple times without a response. If that changes, we’ll aim to include his interview before the convention as well.
This episode focuses on Jazz Hampton. There’s a lot to learn from our conversation, but if there are topics we missed, feel free to leave a comment—we’ll do our best to follow up.
Interview Summary
In this wide-ranging interview, Jazz Hampton shares his motivations for running for mayor of Minneapolis, citing his deep roots in the city, personal values shaped by community-minded parents, and frustration with political gridlock. He believes Minneapolis is at an inflection point, stuck in a cycle of division and needing leadership that can bring diverse voices to the table. Hampton, a lawyer and tech entrepreneur, draws on his background building a nationally scaled justice-focused startup to argue that his combination of legal, business, and civic experience uniquely equips him to manage the city under its strong mayor system.
The conversation explores core priorities of his campaign: public safety, affordable housing, and economic vitality. Hampton advocates for a reimagined approach to policing that reduces officer workload by reallocating responsibilities to specialized responders, while also investing in more sworn officers and rebuilding trust. On housing, he supports incentives for multi-bedroom and family-friendly units, easing regulations on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and addressing the shortage of mid-income housing. Economic recovery, he argues, depends on retaining major employers downtown while also removing permitting delays and fostering small business growth in neighborhoods citywide.
Beyond policy, Hampton emphasizes personal connection and empathy as essential leadership traits. He reflects on how his biracial upbringing, experiences with law enforcement, and broad personal interests—from French language to motorcycles—help him bridge divides. He calls for more civil dialogue in politics, especially in light of recent violence against public figures, and encourages full participation in ranked-choice voting as a way to reflect true voter preferences. Throughout the conversation, Hampton positions himself as both an outsider to political office and someone with the managerial and relational skills needed to lead Minneapolis through a time of challenge and opportunity.
Share this post