Why I’m Running for Minneapolis City Council Ward 12

Watch the full speech on YouTube.

By Becka Thompson

May 3, 2025

I’m running for Minneapolis City Council Ward 12 not because it’s easy, but because it’s urgent.

When I stood in front of the DFL delegates at the Ward 12 convention, I didn’t come as a seasoned politician. I came as a mom, a teacher, and a lifelong Minneapolitan who deeply loves this city. I shared a story that shaped me—one I can’t forget, and one that fuels my decision to run for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 12.

A Personal Turning Point

It was my son’s birthday. My niece’s too. We were lighting candles on a cake as helicopters circled overhead. Instead of joy, there was fear. That was the night Minneapolis was on fire. That moment of helplessness—of being unable to protect my family—never left me.

Since that night, I’ve lost a student to gun violence. Two others are now serving life sentences. They were kids. All of them. These tragedies made one thing clear: I can’t sit on the sidelines anymore while our systems fail those who need us most.

A City at a Crossroads

Minneapolis is facing real challenges. Property values are falling. Tax burdens are rising. Families are struggling. Small businesses are barely hanging on. Trust in public leadership is fragile. We need action, not hashtags. We need leadership grounded in real-life experience, empathy, and courage. That’s what I bring to the table.

A Real Approach to Public Safety

Public safety must be a priority—but not in the narrow, reactive way we’ve seen. I fully support staffing our police department to meet both charter requirements and community expectations. But safety is broader than policing. It also means investing in violence prevention, rebuilding trust between neighborhoods and law enforcement, and partnering with schools and community groups.

The Third Precinct: Restore and Move Forward

The Third Precinct has stood as a symbol of government inaction for five years. Barbed wire, debris, and decay remain where community investment should be. No homeowner would be allowed to leave property in this condition—neither should the city. It’s time to clean it up and move forward.

Support for Small Business

Our local businesses are the heart of Ward 12. I’ve spoken with countless entrepreneurs who feel ignored. Resources exist, but the red tape keeps people out. I want to change that. I want to be the bridge that connects small business owners with the tools they need to grow and thrive in our neighborhoods.

Protecting Minneapolis Parks

Our parks aren’t luxuries—they’re essentials. From youth programming to clean water and green space, parks are places where we gather, heal, and grow. As a former Park Board Commissioner, I’ve seen what well-funded parks can do. I’ll fight for smart investments that preserve these spaces and keep them accessible for all.

Real Housing Solutions

The housing and homelessness crisis demands real solutions, not slogans. I’ll advocate for practical zoning reforms and supportive housing strategies that respect both dignity and fiscal responsibility. Collaboration—not political posturing—will get results.

Showing Up Matters

I may not be the flashiest candidate. I’ve missed a few protests to be at a choir concert. I’ve skipped a few headlines to take care of family. But I show up. I listen. I bring facts, compassion, and hard-earned perspective to the work.

Minneapolis needs more than performative politics. It needs grown-ups in the room—leaders who combine vision with follow-through. Strategy with humility. Courage with candor.

If what I’ve said resonates, I hope you’ll share this message. Watch the full speech on YouTube. Talk to your neighbors. And if you believe it’s time for a different kind of leadership in Ward 12, I hope you’ll stand with me.

Because we don’t get to choose whether the storm comes. We only choose how we respond.

Let’s be ready.

~ Becka