City Council Member Jacob Frey was confirmed as the winner of Minneapolis’s mayoral race Wednesday.
Frey claimed victory over Raymond Dehn in the fifth round of ranked-choice tabulation, with a total of 46,716 votes. Dehn finished second with 34,971. Incumbent Betsy Hodges was eliminated after the forth round of tabulation.
“We have been a divided city in so many respects,” he told reporters Wednesday. “Division between police and community, division between businesses and activists, we’ve even had division in the DFL party. … Right now, more than ever, we need bridge builders. Collectively, we all need to come together and recognize that while we may deviate slightly in strategy we still share the same overarching goals.”
Frey, 36, first took office as city council member in 2013. Ward 3 encompasses part of Marcy-Holmes, Dinkytown and downtown neighborhoods. On the council, Frey’s focus on development brought rapid growth to his ward, drawing praise but also concerns of gentrification.
Tuesday’s election was the city’s highest municipal election voter turnout in two decades.
“It’s … official now … We are obviously excited of the outcome,” said Frey’s Campaign Manager Joe Radinovich. “It’s been a long campaign with many strong and qualified in the field, [Frey] is grateful.”