Andrea Jenkins Will Not Seek Reelection to Minneapolis City Council

Jenkins Announces Decision to Step Down

Andrea Jenkins, the Minneapolis City Council member representing Ward 8, announced Monday that she will not seek reelection in 2025, concluding her tenure serving the Lyndale and Kingfield neighborhoods.

In a newsletter to constituents, Jenkins shared that after months of reflection, she has decided against pursuing a fourth term. First elected in 2017, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

“After several months of introspection and vacillation, I’ve decided this is my last term in office. I will not be seeking a fourth term as a Minneapolis City Council member. It has, indeed, been the honor of my life to serve as your council member,” Jenkins wrote.

A Historic Political Career

Jenkins made history in 2017 as the first Black transgender person elected to public office in the United States. In 2022, she broke barriers again when she became the first openly transgender city council president.

“I served as council president and vice president during some of the most challenging times in Minneapolis history. I’m very proud to be supported by voters in Ward 8. I’m grateful for the people who worked to support a strong Ward 8, elevating women, people of color, and our LGBTQIA+ community,” Jenkins said in a statement.

Leadership During Times of Crisis

During her tenure as council president, Jenkins was a vocal leader in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder by police in 2020, calling it “a symbol for a knee on the neck of Black America.” The tragedy sparked nationwide protests and demands for racial justice.

A Long Career in Public Service

A Democrat, Jenkins has worked in city government since 2001, when she was appointed policy aide to then–Council Member Robert Lilligren.

Throughout her tenure, she championed several key initiatives, including the adoption of a $15 minimum wage, efforts to remove questions about criminal backgrounds from job applications, and the passage of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

“As this year progresses, I will take time to detail and highlight more accomplishments and express my gratitude,” Jenkins wrote. “There is still most of this year ahead of us. Minneapolis is a great city, and I believe Ward 8 is the soul of this city. We have a lot of work to do.”