Andrea Jenkins announced in her March 3 newsletter that she will be stepping down from her Ward 8 City Council seat after this year. Her departure ensures that at least three new council members will take office next year. Ward 5 Council member Jeremiah Ellison is stepping down, and Ward 11 Council member Emily Koski is running for mayor. As of now, the only candidate running for her seat is Jamison Whiting.
Below is a summary of the interview with Josh Bassais. On Sunday, March 16, we will have an interview with one of his opponents, Soren Stevenson. Anthony Scott is also reportedly running but has yet to create a website. We plan to host more candidates interviews leading up to the April 8 DFL caucuses. Let us know if there is a candidate you’d like to hear from.
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A Note on Andrea Jenkins
Jenkins and Ellison are two of the longest-serving members of the City Council. Andrea was interviewed by this newsletter in August 2024; that interview can be heard here. Andrea began her career in city government in 2001 when Robert Lilligren appointed her as a Policy Aide. She later worked for Elizabeth Glidden. In 2017, she was elected to the City Council with more than 70% of the vote, becoming the first Black openly transgender woman elected to public office in the United States.
Her next role remains uncertain, but she plans to continue supporting the community and making her voice heard. As she stated:
“But make no mistake, we are serious about reimagining public safety and police reform. We still have far too much work to do to make sure everyone has a safe place to sleep at night, and we need to make sure Minneapolis continues to be a place where artists can thrive.
We will be working on these things and more in 2025 and beyond.”
When the time is right, Andrea will join us to reflect on her tenure and share her insights on the community and city government.
Interview Summary
Josh Bassais, a lifelong Minneapolis resident, is running for City Council in Ward 8. He grew up in the city, attended Lyndale School, and his children attend Minneapolis Public Schools. His background includes a career in both organized labor and business, giving him experience in negotiations, project management, and budgeting—skills he believes are needed at City Hall.
Key Issues and Priorities:
Public Safety – Bassais believes Minneapolis' police force is understaffed, leading to slow response times and concerns about community safety. He supports hiring a diverse police force and implementing community policing, such as getting officers out of squad cars to engage with residents.
Housing & Affordability – He sees a need for more housing, including affordable options, and suggests that the city could invest in housing development to ensure affordability. He also emphasizes pathways to homeownership as a means to build generational wealth.
Economic Development – Bassais advocates for supporting small businesses, reducing regulatory red tape, and creating job opportunities within communities. He sees small businesses as crucial to neighborhood vitality and opposes policies that might unintentionally harm them.
View on City Government & Challenges:
Bassais believes the city is “stuck” in ideological debates that prevent real progress. He cites George Floyd Square as an example, where despite community support for a flexible street plan, the City Council overrode it.
Campaign Approach:
Bassais emphasizes listening to community voices, consensus-building, and practical governance over ideological battles.
He plans to door-knock extensively to connect directly with residents.
He is seeking the DFL endorsement and will participate in the upcoming caucuses and convention.
Personal Background & Motivation:
Outside of politics, Bassais is deeply involved in his community. He has served as president of his neighborhood association and values grassroots engagement. He also coaches youth baseball and spends much of his time supporting his children’s activities.
Bassais frames his campaign as a way to give back to the city that shaped him. His approach is pragmatic, focusing on effective governance and tangible results over political ideology.
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