City Council Member Emily Koski Drops Out of Minneapolis Mayoral Race

On Monday morning, Minneapolis City Council Member Emily Koski announced she was dropping out of the Minneapolis mayoral race. Koski, who officially declared her candidacy last December, pointed to stressful fundraising, a toxic political environment, and finding a work-life balance as reasons for stepping away from the election.

In a statement, the Ward 11 Council Member said, her decision “comes after deep reflection on the challenges of running an authentic, community-focused campaign within Minneapolis’ current political climate.” Koski added, “But I’ve come to a hard truth: under the current political climate, I can’t be my authentic self and be a candidate in this race the way it demands.”

A local businesswoman and the daughter of two-term Minneapolis Mayor Albert Hofstede, Koski has served as a Council Member since 2021. Her ward includes Diamond Lake, Keewaydin, Hale and Tangletown, amongst other neighborhoods.

Koski is currently the vice chair of both the council’s Climate & Infrastructure Committee and its Budget Committee. Koski may have ended her mayoral bid but the ballot remains full of candidates.

DeWayne Davis, minister of Plymouth Congregational Church, Howard Dotson, a chaplain and counselor, Omar Fateh, the first Somali American to serve in the Minnesota Senate, Jazz Hampton, co-creator of the company TurnSgnl, and Brenda Short, a community advocate, are all still in the running against incumbent Jacob Frey.