Ex-Rep. Kate Knuth enters Minneapolis mayoral race

Kate Knuth, a former DFL state representative, is running for Minneapolis mayor.

The state of play: Knuth, who announced this morning, joins community organizer Sheila June Nezhad in challenging Mayor Jacob Frey in November.

What she's saying: "We are at a critical moment in our city and on the planet," per a press release.

• "Now is the moment we can build new, better systems that truly work for all of us regardless of race, income, zip code, gender or ability."

What to watch: Police reform will be a central issue in the wake of George Floyd's death.

• Knuth supports the charter amendment to get rid of MPD and replace it with a "public safety department that includes multiple ways to create public safety, including first responders who can help solve problems."
• She said in campaign materials that armed peace officers would not be removed from the department "now or even in the next four years."

Her backstory: Knuth represented New Brighton and nearby communities at the Legislature from 2007 to 2013. She now lives in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood with her husband and daughter.

• She briefly worked under Frey when she was on a grant-funded position as the city's chief resilience officer. Former Mayor Betsy Hodges had appointed her to the post before Frey was elected.
• At the time of her departure in 2018, Knuth said she and Frey had different visions for the job.

This story first appeared in the Axios Twin Cities newsletter, designed to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in their own backyard.

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