Big money rallies to Frey allies in Minneapolis races
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Some of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's wealthiest supporters have mounted their own half-million-dollar campaign to bolster Frey's reelection effort — and to swing City Council races in his favor.
Why it matters: The independent expenditure effort gives Frey a financial edge on his opponents, who are trying to defend their City Council majority and flip the mayor's office.
The big picture: At stake are two competing visions for Minneapolis. Frey argues his administration has spurred housing construction, curbed crime and stabilized a troubled police department.
- Frey's critics — including challengers DeWayne Davis, Omar Fateh and Jazz Hampton — say the city needs a new approach to its budget, policing, the homelessness crisis and more.
In Frey's corner: "All of Mpls" — a PAC fueled by donations from several developers, centrist labor unions, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and even Lyft — has spent nearly $344,000 on swaying city races as of late September.
- An offshoot group, "Thrive Mpls," spent another $46,000.
- A third group, "We Love Minneapolis PAC" — underwritten by the Downtown Council and landlord groups — has spent nearly $122,000 to bolster Frey-aligned council candidates.
The other side: "Minneapolis for the Many" has raised $133,420, including a $30,000 infusion from Movement Voter PAC-Minnesota — which is actually based in Massachusetts and bundles contributions to left-wing causes from donors across the U.S.
- That PAC has "been funding the work of progressive groups in Minnesota … for many years," Minneapolis for the Many chair Chelsea McFarren told Axios.
- McFarren said 88% of Minneapolis for the Many's donors are from the city. Their largest independent expenditure has been $5,000 to oppose Frey — but they've also shelled out $119,000 on staff, fundraising and polling aimed at hyping their candidate slate.
Plus: Progressive organizing powerhouse TakeAction Minnesota has also jumped in to support Fateh.
Reality check: The biggest spenders don't always win.
- In Minneapolis' 2023 elections, left-wing groups managed to win a council majority despite being similarly outspent.
Yes, but: The loss of just one seat would cost Frey's critics their veto-proof council majority — and several current members backed by Minneapolis for the Many could face closer-than-expected reelection fights.
State of play: Frey's campaign entered the fall with a huge fundraising advantage, and four All of Mpls-endorsed candidates were out-raising their incumbent opponents as of the last campaign finance update in August.
- In Ward 10, Lydia Millard had raised nearly triple what Council VP Aisha Chughtai had brought in.
- Elizabeth Shaffer's haul was nearly twice that of Ward 7 incumbent Katie Cashman.
- All of Mpls-backed Pearll Warren is the leading fundraiser in the wide-open Ward 5 race, and Ward 2's Robin Wonsley faces a stiff challenge from Shelly Madore.
What's next: Early voting is already underway, and candidates and independent expenditure groups must publicly report their finances again later this month.