Who Is Jacob Frey? The Story Behind Minneapolis’ Dynamic Mayor

The Story of Jacob Frey: From Runner to Reform-Driven Mayor

How Jacob Frey’s Passion for People Shaped His Path to Politics

Jacob Lawrence Frey is an attorney and former competitive long-distance runner turned politician. As of 2018 he has served as the Mayor of Minneapolis, MN. He has run as a Democrat (Minnesota DFL) candidate. What makes this politician so interesting is that he comes from a background of advocating for civil rights and running marathons. And what better place to bring that to than one of the nation’s fastest growing cities?

Background and Running

Born in Arlington County, VA., in 1981 Jacob Frey has a very different path to being a politician.

Jacob graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2004 where he had received a Government Degree on a Track Scholarship. After college he continued to pursue both an education and an athletic career. He earned his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) cum laude in 2009 from Villanova University School of Law. While pursuing his law degree Jacob represented Team USA in the marathon at the 2007 Pan-American Games.

When Jacob moved to Minneapolis it was after having participated in the Twin Cities Marathon, an experience that caused him to decide to live in Minneapolis permanently. As soon as he settled in Minneapolis, Jacob became a successful Employment and Civil Rights Attorney.

That job allowed him to become involved in local activism. In 2011, Jacob co-founded the Big Gay Race, an annual charity event designed to raise money for the cause of Marriage Equality in Minnesota. For his civil rights advocacy, he received the city's first Martin Luther King, Jr. Award in 2012.

To the Mayor's Office!

Jacob entered politics when he won election to the Minneapolis City Council in 2013 as the representative of Ward 3. His focus during his one term on the council (2014-2018) was on developing affordable housing, supporting small business and encouraging residential development.

In 2017, Jacob ran for Mayor of Minneapolis and became the 48th Mayor of Minneapolis and one of the youngest mayors in Minneapolis' history. In 2021, voters re-elected him to another four-year term as Mayor. In addition, in 2025, Jacob will be elected to his third term as Mayor of Minneapolis. This will be the first time a Mayor has ever served under the city's new "Strong Mayor" System of Government, a system of government approved by Minneapolis voters in 2021, which changed how the city's government functions, giving the Mayor greater control over many city departments and greater authority as the city's chief executive officer.

Priorities and Initiatives

Jacob Frey's policy platform is based upon an inclusive and progressive agenda that includes five main areas: Affordable Housing, Improving Community-Police Relations, Tackling Climate Change, Developing Economic Growth Using Progressive Policies, and Providing Good Governance.

As part of the Affordable Housing area of his platform, Jacob's Administration has made historic commitments to affordable housing, including through the Stable Homes-Stable Schools Program. Under this program, the city provides assistance to families of students attending Minneapolis Public Schools in finding stable, affordable housing.

On Climate Action, Jacob's Administration has established the Climate Legacy Initiative with the goal of making Minneapolis Carbon Neutral by 2050. Jacob has also committed to helping the city achieve all of its Renewable Energy Goals for city owned buildings.

Through his Administration, Jacob has worked to bridge the racial wealth gap by establishing seven Cultural Districts for targeted investments and through the Ownership and Opportunity Fund to support Entrepreneurs of Color.

Also, Jacob has proposed converting underutilized office buildings to housing and supports the concept of Pedestrian-Focused Zones in revitalizing the downtown area. Additionally, Jacob has played a major role in implementing police reforms within the Minneapolis Police Department. These reforms include expanding the city's 24-hour Crisis Response System and revising Use of Force policies.

With his marathon running days behind him, Jacob Frey continues to lead Minneapolis using a practical and progressive approach to the city's future.