Better Minneapolis
Better Minneapolis Podcast
Interview: Shelley Madore – Ward 2 City Council Candidate
0:00
-43:28

Interview: Shelley Madore – Ward 2 City Council Candidate

The DFL Ward 2 Endorsement Convention is this Saturday, May 3

The DFL Ward 2 Endorsement Convention is this Saturday, May 3

Shelley Madore is seeking the DFL endorsement in Ward 2 this weekend. In a more functional party, that statement might be unremarkable. But the Minneapolis DFL has managed to complicate even the most basic part of the process: setting a date.

Shelley Madore Ward 2 City Council candidate

The convention date was changed multiple times—from May 3 to June 7, then June 1, before reverting back to May 3. A lawsuit now aims to uncover why the DFL violated its own rules in the process. This kind of maneuvering strengthens the case for eliminating caucuses and conventions in favor of a straightforward primary system.

The current Ward 2 Council Member, Robin Wonsley, a Democratic Socialist who is not seeking the DFL endorsement, has nonetheless been active in influencing the outcome. She understands that the endorsement could impact her reelection chances—and is working to prevent it from going to an opponent.

In an interview with the Minnesota Daily, Wonsley said:

“We had a handful of DFL leaders just say, ‘No, we’re going to pick a date, pick a location that excludes a large majority of our delegate base, including students and just working-class people, from fairly participating in that process.’ My campaign said immediately that’s unacceptable.”

Carol Becker, writing for the Minneapolis Times, reported:

"Despite not running for the DFL endorsement, Wonsley has been running an active campaign to turn out people to the caucuses and convention to block any DFL endorsement. This will make it easier for her to get reelected."

Wonsley is not acting alone. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar has endorsed her over DFL candidates Shelley Madore and Michael Baskins. Omar is one of the highest-ranking Democrats in Minnesota. Her endorsement is notable given Wonsley’s affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America—a group whose platform diverges significantly from the DFL’s, advocating the abolition of capitalism, defunding the police, ending misdemeanor enforcement, and releasing all incarcerated individuals.

That Wonsley is not seeking the DFL endorsement is consistent with her platform. What’s harder to explain is why figures like Omar, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and County Commissioner Angela Conley—each prominent Democrats—are actively supporting her. Endorsing a candidate who openly opposes core elements of the DFL platform raises uncomfortable questions: Do these leaders share Wonsley’s goals of ending capitalism, defunding the police, and emptying prisons?

Will the Real DFL Member Please Stand Up?

In this context, it’s striking that Shelley Madore, a former DFL state legislator, would be denied a fair hearing by DFL insiders before the convention even occurs. If the DFL valued internal democracy, it would allow delegates to evaluate the candidates—Madore and Baskins—and decide who should carry the party banner.

Instead, when leaders like Omar and Ellison endorse before the convention, they send a clear message: party delegates’ voices don’t matter. They speak of grassroots democracy, but act as if party elites should make the decisions.

Today’s podcast features Shelley Madore so voters can hear directly from a DFL candidate seeking the endorsement. That seems a more democratic process than allowing behind-the-scenes influence to determine who’s even allowed to compete.

Leave a comment

Here is an outline of the discussion topics covered in the interview with Shelly Madore, candidate for Minneapolis Ward 2 City Council:

I. Introduction and Background

  • Personal introduction and decision to run

  • Experience as a former DFL legislator in Apple Valley/Burnsville

  • Community activism, especially with disability advocacy

  • Work on transportation access and regional transit (35W Solutions Alliance)

II. Campaign Motivation and Vision

  • Dissatisfaction with current city council leadership and governance

  • Emphasis on basic services: 911 response, potholes, business support

  • Importance of restoring trust in city government

III. Ward 2 Overview

  • Key neighborhoods: Seward, Prospect Park, Cedar-Riverside, etc.

  • Strong neighborhood associations and community engagement

  • Demographic insights and low 2023 voter turnout

  • Hopes for increased engagement post-pandemic

IV. Top Policy Priorities

1. Public Safety

  • Student safety concerns near the University of Minnesota

  • Police staffing shortages and overtime reliance

  • Fire department taking over mental health response

  • Criticism of current budget handling and public safety outsourcing

  • Support for implementing DOJ consent decree reforms

2. Affordable Housing

  • Support for local landlords and maintaining housing stock

  • Need for better city enforcement and more housing inspectors

  • Lead abatement program concerns

  • Importance of housing diversity (starter rentals, move-up, senior living)

3. Economic Development

  • Revitalizing small business ecosystem (e.g., coffee shops, grocery access)

  • Encouraging tourism and local business growth

  • Reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses and landlords

  • Examples of code compliance challenges (e.g., toilet replacement)

V. Views on Current City Council Actions

  • Support for:

    • Renter ordinance requiring emergency contact info

    • Civil rights ordinance additions (social impact, height/weight discrimination)

  • Criticisms of:

    • Budget process and lack of oversight

    • Redundant spending and bypassing of city staff in funding allocations

    • Duplication of services already provided by Hennepin County

    • Overuse of consultants and lack of transparency

    • George Floyd Square delays and disagreements

VI. Relationship with Mayor Frey

  • Believes Frey deserves a third term

  • Appreciates efforts to bring in qualified staff

  • Open to collaboration and finding common ground

VII. Personal Interests and Closing

  • Enjoys cooking shows, especially "Beat Bobby Flay"

  • Making homemade ice cream

  • Exploring parks with her dog, Tommy

  • Belief in the importance of local, community-focused governance

Discussion about this episode