Over 200 supporters and well-wishers gathered at the Wilde Cafe on Main Street in Minneapolis to witness history being made up close. This race’s election results came in early and Dawanna Witt was declared the people’s choice to become the first African American and the first woman to be elected Hennepin County sheriff in the county’s 170-year history. She defeated her opponent Joseph Banks handily.
Witt said that she was ready to get to work and stressed her commitment to building a safer, more equitable county, a palace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Click below to watch Witt speak to the MSR on election night.
Travis Lee is a contributing photographer and writer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.com.