This past weekend, we witnessed something remarkable: coordinated protests in all 50 states. Across the nation, people rose up to defend civil liberties and demand justice. It was a reminder of what’s possible when we come together and a vision of unity we need to bring home to Minneapolis.
Right now, our city stands at a crossroads. Across the country, voting rights, reproductive freedom, and personal safety are under attack. Communities are increasingly divided, and the stakes are growing higher. In this moment of national uncertainty, Minneapolis must be a place where people feel safe, seen, and heard.
But instead, we’re stuck. Public trust is low. City leadership feels out of step with community needs. And the people of Minneapolis, especially those most impacted by injustice, are left feeling unheard and underserved.
We’ve been through pivotal moments before.
I’ll never forget the night the I-35W bridge collapsed. I was at home, watching the news in shock. Just days earlier, I had been working underneath that very bridge as an intern with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If the collapse had happened on a different day, I might have been there when it fell.
As I sat there trying to call a coworker, frantic and unable to get a signal, I remember scanning the screen for a familiar car, hoping for a sign that everyone was safe. I felt helpless. And guilty. Why them and not me?
But what happened next stayed with me even more: the way Minneapolis responded. A massive white tent filled with supplies overflowed with donations. Volunteers stepped up. City leaders from all backgrounds, including Mayor R.T. Rybak and President George W. Bush, showed up. Most importantly, neighbors helped neighbors. Together, we cleared debris and began to rebuild not just the bridge but a sense of shared purpose.
That experience shaped me. It taught me that leadership isn’t about standing on the sidelines. It’s about stepping in, listening deeply, and being part of the solution.
Years later, after the murder of George Floyd, I co-founded TurnSignl, an app that provides legal support during traffic stops. We built it by bringing together law enforcement, civil rights leaders, and community voices to rebuild trust in one of the most fraught interactions between people and the state.
When the housing crisis deepened, I didn’t just talk about it. I partnered with Catholic Charities to help create permanent housing solutions rooted in stability and human dignity.
And now, I see a city once again in need of leadership. Minneapolis is divided. Not by a broken bridge but by a broken system. People feel disconnected from those in power. They’re tired of being left out of decisions that affect their lives. And they’re ready for a leader who brings people together instead of pushing them further apart.
Some might say now is not the time to change course. That it’s safer to stay with the current mayor simply because he’s the known quantity. I understand that impulse. But our city needs more than familiarity; we need progress. We need a leader who will earn trust, not assume it. Who will govern transparently and with humility. Who will build coalitions, not silos.
I believe Minneapolis can be a national model for what city leadership should look like. That starts with listening to the people, building systems that reflect our shared values, and acting decisively to meet urgent needs. As mayor, I’ll focus on public safety rooted in trust and prevention, truly affordable housing, bold climate solutions, and inclusive economic opportunity.
And above all, I’ll lead with respect for our city, for its people, and for the future we’re building together.
I still carry a coin I was given after the bridge collapse. It was a token of the Presidential Award of Excellence. I keep it with me to remind myself that in our darkest moments, we can choose to rebuild.
This is one of those moments. Let’s move forward, together.
Jazz Hampton is a proud husband, father of three, community advocate, attorney, and business owner running for mayor of Minneapolis to break through political gridlock and bring fresh leadership to our city.