Minneapolis DA Race Heats Up Amid Calls to Prosecute ICE Agents

Minneapolis is bracing for a pivotal election as Cedrick Frazier's campaign slogan, "PROSECUTE ICE. VOTE FRAZIER," resonates strongly with voters following the January killings of two U.S. citizens by federal officers during Operation Metro Surge. This incident has transformed what was initially seen as a referendum on progressive prosecutions into a national debate about accountability for law enforcement.

Frazier, a former public defender and current state representative, is running against Anders Folk, a former federal prosecutor, in the race to become Hennepin County Attorney. The election's outcome could have significant implications beyond Minneapolis, given that either Frazier or his opponent will likely make crucial decisions regarding the prosecution of the ICE agents involved in the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

David Schultz, a political science professor at Hamline University, underscores the broader significance of this race. "People are going to be looking at this election and asking what it tells us about holding law enforcement accountable," he explained. Without recent high-profile incidents like Operation Metro Surge or the George Floyd case, the election would have been less notable.

As Frazier canvassed the Longfellow neighborhood recently, voters were unanimous in their support for his stance against ICE. The city's visible reminders of past turbulence, including graffiti and memorials to victims, highlight a decade marked by social unrest and calls for justice. "We’re just making it very clear and explicit that if you come here, regardless of your title, and violate the law, there will be accountability," Frazier stated carefully during an interview with The Intercept.

Frazier's background as a native Chicagoan who moved to rural Minnesota for college adds depth to his candidacy. His career progression from public defender to state representative reflects his deep-rooted ties within the community and political networks. He currently works part-time in the state legislature while serving as an attorney for the main teacher union, positioning him well within Minnesota's labor movement.

Should Frazier win the election, he will face critical decisions regarding the prosecution of those responsible for Good and Pretti’s deaths. The current Hennepin County Attorney, Mary Moriarty, began investigating these killings with assistance from state Attorney General Keith Ellison but may leave the ultimate charging decision to her successor. "I have no trust whatsoever in a Donald Trump-led Department of Justice actually getting us any justice or accountability for what happened here," Frazier emphasized.

The upcoming election will not only determine who becomes Minneapolis's top prosecutor but also set a precedent for how local authorities handle cases involving federal law enforcement agencies, particularly in the context of controversial immigration policies.