Jacob Frey - A Look At Minneapolis's Leader

Franco Beahan 22 Jun 2025

Jacob Frey has been a notable presence in Minneapolis civic life for quite some time now, holding the city's top elected position since 2018. He is, you know, a person with a varied background, having been a professional runner, then a lawyer, and later a city council member before taking on the role of mayor.

He first stepped into the mayor's office in 2017, becoming the 48th individual to hold that particular job for the city. His time in office, it's almost, marked by a focus on certain key areas that touch the lives of many residents, with a lot of talk about how things have changed.

From what we've seen, there's been a lot of discussion about how the city has changed during his tenure, particularly when it comes to things like housing options for people. He has, apparently, continued to work on these kinds of issues, reflecting on the city's progress and looking ahead to what comes next for the city's direction.

The Early Days and Political Path of Jacob Frey
Jacob Frey's Personal Journey
What Has Jacob Frey Done for Housing?
Jacob Frey and Affordable Homes
How Has Jacob Frey Handled Big City Issues?
Jacob Frey's Stance on Public Safety
Is Jacob Frey Seeking Another Term?
What's Next for Jacob Frey's Political Career?

The Early Days and Political Path of Jacob Frey

Jacob Frey's path to becoming the leader of Minneapolis is, in a way, a varied one, showing different sides of his skills and interests. Before he was elected to public office, he spent time as a professional runner, which is quite a different kind of pursuit compared to city governance. After his time competing, he then went on to become a lawyer, a career that often involves working through complex situations and advocating for others. This background, you know, gave him experience in different settings before he ever thought about public service.

His move to Minneapolis happened in 2009, coming from Virginia. After settling in the city, he continued his work as a lawyer for a period of time. Then, his interest in public service really started to show itself. He eventually ran for and secured a spot on the city council, representing Ward 3. He served in that role for one term, from 2014 until 2018. That time on the council, basically, gave him a close-up look at how city government works and the kinds of concerns people in Minneapolis have.

Following his time as a council member, Jacob Frey made the decision to seek the city's top job. He was first elected mayor in 2017, stepping into the position in 2018. He was then reelected in 2021, showing that voters gave him another chance to lead the city. He is, as a matter of fact, currently preparing to run for what he says will be his third and final term as mayor this year, which would extend his time in the city's top spot even further.

Jacob Frey's Personal Journey

Beyond his public duties, Jacob Frey also has a personal life that connects him to the community he serves. He met his spouse, Sarah, through their shared involvement in community organizing work. This connection, you know, highlights how their personal interests align with helping others and making a difference in the community. They continue to support each other's efforts in areas they care deeply about.

Their shared passions, it seems, include things like making sure the environment stays healthy for future generations, helping the local economy grow in ways that benefit everyone, and working for fairness and equal treatment for all people. These are, essentially, big ideas that often come up in their public and private lives. They are, you know, committed to these kinds of broad goals.

Their family has also grown during his time as mayor. In September of 2020, their daughter, Frida Jade Frey, joined the family. And now, they are, apparently, looking forward to welcoming their second child this year, which will make their family even bigger. These personal milestones, really, give a different perspective on the person leading the city.

Detail	Information
Name	Jacob Frey
Current Role	Mayor of Minneapolis
First Elected Mayor	2017 (Took Office 2018)
Re-elected Mayor	2021
Previous Role	Ward 3 City Councilmember (2014-2018)
Moved to Minneapolis From	Virginia (in 2009)
Profession Before Office	Lawyer
Spouse	Sarah
Children	Frida Jade Frey (born Sept 2020), Second child expected this year

What Has Jacob Frey Done for Housing?

One of the big things people talk about when discussing Jacob Frey's time in office is the work done on making more homes available for people. There has been, you know, a real push to create places to live that don't cost too much for families and individuals. We've seen, apparently, a significant shift in how many of these lower-cost homes have been put up. This effort, it seems, has been a central part of his time leading the city, aiming to make sure more people have a secure place to call their own.

In fact, when you look at the numbers, the pace of building truly affordable places to stay has gone up quite a bit. It's almost, in some respects, eight and a half times faster than it was before Jacob Frey became the mayor. This means, essentially, a lot more doors opening for folks who needed a good place to call their own. It reflects a commitment to addressing a core need for many residents, showing a clear change in how the city approaches housing development.

Jacob Frey and Affordable Homes

When we talk about homes that are truly within reach for people, we often look at those meant for folks earning 30% or less of the area's typical income. These kinds of homes are, you know, very important for people who might otherwise struggle to find a decent place to live. During Jacob Frey's time in office, these particular types of homes have been built at a rate that is more than double what the city saw between 2011 and 2017. This is, basically, a significant jump in the number of places available for those with very limited incomes.

On average, the city has seen about 780 of these very low-cost homes completed each year since he took office. That number, obviously, represents a lot of individual units that have become available. It shows a consistent effort to provide housing for people who need it most, which has been a stated goal of his administration. The idea is to make sure that people from all walks of life have a chance to live comfortably in Minneapolis, and this kind of construction definitely helps with that aim.

This focus on creating more places for people to live at a reasonable cost has been a recurring theme in the discussions around Jacob Frey's work. He has, as a matter of fact, often spoken about the importance of these kinds of developments. It's a way, you know, of trying to make sure the city grows in a way that includes everyone, not just those with higher incomes. The impact of these efforts can be felt by many families and individuals who have found a stable home.

How Has Jacob Frey Handled Big City Issues?

Leading a major city like Minneapolis means facing a variety of important matters, some of which can be quite challenging. Jacob Frey has, in a way, been at the center of several key discussions and decisions during his time as mayor. One example that stands out is his reflection on the year 2024, which he described as a period of significant forward movement for the city. He pointed to a range of achievements and positive steps taken, suggesting a feeling of accomplishment for the city's work. This kind of reflection, you know, often sets the tone for what's to come.

He has, essentially, been quite vocal about the city's progress, often speaking to supporters and the public about the direction things are heading. You might see pictures of him, for instance, raising his fist in the air while addressing crowds, which is a sign of his passion and conviction about the city's path. These public appearances are, basically, a way for him to communicate his vision and rally support for the city's various plans and initiatives. He tends to be quite direct in his public statements.

Another aspect of his leadership involves the use of his veto power, a tool that allows a mayor to reject decisions made by the city council. Since he was first elected in 2018, Jacob Frey has, apparently, used this power to influence city policy. This means he has, in some respects, been willing to stand firm on his positions, even when they differ from the council's views. It's a way for him to shape the city's future according to his own ideas about what's best, which is part of the job.

Jacob Frey's Stance on Public Safety

A very notable point in Jacob Frey's time as mayor involved a major discussion about public safety and the city's police department. There was, you know, a strong push from some parts of the community to make big changes to how policing was done in Minneapolis, even suggesting replacing the department entirely. Jacob Frey, however, took a different stand on this issue. He chose to oppose the idea of replacing the police department, a position that carried some risk for his political future.

This decision, apparently, put his bid for a second term in office at risk, as it was a deeply felt issue for many voters. Despite that, he stuck to his views, arguing for a different approach to public safety than what some groups were advocating for. His choice to stand firm on this matter, you know, shows a willingness to make tough calls, even when they might not be popular with everyone. It was, essentially, a moment that highlighted his approach to leadership during a challenging time for the city.

Separately, Jacob Frey also had to address the city during a time of tension with the previous presidential administration. He urged the people of Minneapolis to come together and remain united when there were threats coming from the Trump administration. He spoke about this need for unity in his State of the City address, which is a formal speech where the mayor talks about the city's condition and future plans. This shows, basically, his role in trying to keep the city cohesive when external pressures arose.

Is Jacob Frey Seeking Another Term?

The question of Jacob Frey's political future is, you know, something that has been on people's minds recently. He has made it clear that he is preparing to run for mayor again, aiming for what he has described as his third and final term in office. This means he is, essentially, looking to continue his work leading Minneapolis for another period. He officially announced his campaign for re-election, making his intentions public to everyone in the city.

When he announced his plan to seek another term, Jacob Frey talked about offering the city "good, thoughtful governance." This phrase, you know, gives a sense of his approach to leading the city, suggesting a focus on careful decision-making and stable leadership. He was, as a matter of fact, first elected in 2017, so a third term would mean a significant amount of time spent as the city's top elected official. This long tenure, in a way, speaks to his continued presence in Minneapolis politics.

It's worth noting that as Jacob Frey seeks this third term, he is not running unopposed. He is, apparently, facing a number of other people who also want to be mayor. These challengers include individuals like State Senator Omar Fateh and Minneapolis City Council member Emily Koski, among others. This means there will be, basically, a robust discussion and competition of ideas about the city's direction as the election approaches. It's a typical part of the democratic process, you know, where different viewpoints are presented to the voters.

What's Next for Jacob Frey's Political Career?

Looking ahead, Jacob Frey has been discussing his plans for the downtown area of Minneapolis. He has, you know, talked about how his ideas for this part of the city work together with other plans put forward by various groups and organizations. This suggests a collaborative approach, where his vision is meant to fit into a larger picture of urban development. It's about, essentially, making sure that different efforts to improve the city center are all moving in the same general direction, which is pretty important for big projects.

He has also, in a way, shared a bit of his personal side when discussing his favorite Bob Dylan songs. This small detail, you know, gives people a glimpse into his personality beyond his political role. It's a human touch that can make him seem more relatable to residents. It shows that even city leaders have their own interests and preferences, just like anyone else, which is, honestly, a nice thing to hear.

One particular point that has drawn some attention involves how Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter have both recently talked about their approach to city council override votes on their vetoes. They have, basically, indicated that they would disregard certain council actions if they felt it was necessary. This stance, you know, suggests a strong belief in their executive authority and a willingness to stand firm on their decisions, even when faced with opposition from the legislative branch. It's a statement about how they view the separation of powers within city government.

For anyone looking to share their thoughts with the mayor's office or request a meeting, there are established ways to do so. People can, you know, share an opinion on an issue that matters to them, or they can put in a request for a meeting or to have the mayor attend an event. The mayor's office is located at Fifth Street, Room 331, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is, essentially, the physical location for official communications and visits, making it clear how to connect with the city's top official.

About the Mayor - City of Minneapolis

Minneapolis’s new social justice model of public safety

Q&A: Minneapolis Mayor and candidate Jacob Frey | MPR News

RapidNewsline

Jacob Frey - A Look At Minneapolis's Leader

Table of Contents

The Early Days and Political Path of Jacob Frey

Jacob Frey's Personal Journey

What Has Jacob Frey Done for Housing?

Jacob Frey and Affordable Homes

How Has Jacob Frey Handled Big City Issues?

Jacob Frey's Stance on Public Safety

Is Jacob Frey Seeking Another Term?

What's Next for Jacob Frey's Political Career?

Detail Author:

Socials

facebook:

twitter:

tiktok: