Andrea Jenkins: Progressive causes need a pragmatic advocate. That's me.

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There has been a lot of talk lately about my political leanings. Am I a moderate, an establishment candidate, or am I progressive enough? Getting these questions has been a little unnerving for me, as I have spent my entire career championing progressive causes.

In the election, one of my opponents and his big-money Democratic Socialist supporters are doing everything they can to misrepresent my progressive record.

That progressive record includes fighting for public transit and its expansion, for affordable housing, for rethinking public safety and investing in violence prevention programs that work, for reducing the harms of climate change, and for equity in order to give everyone a chance to succeed in life.

In my personal life and as an elected official I've fought for improving our public transit system, which has led to the new D Line, improved rail and bus stations, and upgrades to ensure the system works for everyone. I worked on the design and creation of the Orange Line (bus rapid transit). I am an advocate for making our entire transit system free in Minneapolis. Removing the inequities in transportation is one of the ways we can connect our residents to every corner of our city, help working-class people make a living, and provide opportunities for people to move from poverty into the middle class.

During my time in office, Minneapolis' Eighth Ward (which I represent) has seen the largest increase in housing development in over 50 years, adding 560 units, 278 of them deeply affordable. I worked to secure funds to develop a 48-unit senior housing development at Sabathani Community Center. I led on a Housing First harm-reduction policy and helped secure $17.5 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $5.5 million for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. I supported inclusionary housing policies that require all new multiunit housing developments to include units dedicated to low-income and working-class residents.

I called for reallocating funds toward commonsense public safety programs that reduce crimes and murders by the police. I helped secure $14 million for violence prevention. I authored the ordinance to create the Community Commission on Police Oversight and supported funding for the Behavioral Crisis Response Team. I have advocated for changes in policing that are now part of the U.S. Department of Justice report on the Minneapolis Police Department. While we must continue to push for changes to policing, we must also ensure that Minneapolis is a safe city for everyone.

I supported declaring climate change a public health emergency, resulting in the City Council passing the Climate Legacy Initiative, which commits up to $10 million per year to support insulating homes in the city, prioritizing communities of color. I have initiated the creation of more green jobs training, currently at Sabathani Community Center. The city has completed the installation of solar panels on all city-owned government buildings and offers incentives to businesses and homeowners to update appliances to be more energy-efficient.

Ten years ago, I created the Transgender Equity Summit and helped secure the transgender equity coordinator supporting the trans and gender-nonconforming community. I co-authored an ordinance banning the destructive practice of conversion therapy. After the murder of George Floyd, I led the council in declaring racism a public health crisis. Through my leadership, the city passed a resolution to establish a process leading to the development of a truth and reconciliation commission.

When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we passed a resolution declaring our city a safe haven for individuals seeking abortions. Finally, I worked to pilot a universal basic income initiative, and expanded our Stable Homes, Stable Schools program that provides rent subsidies to cost-burdened families of Minneapolis Public Schools students.

These are a few of the things I've been fighting for, and am dedicated to seeing through and expanding on this next term. I am a progressive and damn proud to be one. I am also a pragmatic leader who believes we have to bring our community together to move forward together.