Race to replace Mary Moriarty will double as referendum on reform in Hennepin County

Within hours of Mary Moriarty’s announcement that she would not seek a second term as Hennepin County attorney, the wheels were already spinning in the Twin Cities legal and political communities over who would take her place.

Bob Small, executive director of the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association, said his phone was ringing early on Thursday from people curious about the position.

“It’ll be an interesting time, for sure,” Small said, adding that, philosophically, some of the callers he spoke with were not aligned with Moriarty’s policies.

Her departure creates the first litmus test for whether criminal justice reform still holds sway with voters in the most populous county in Minnesota.

Moriarty was part of a group of new public safety leaders that took office in Hennepin County in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, as the state and country looked at the criminal justice system with renewed skepticism.

Around the time of her election, Brian O’Hara was named chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, a believer in police reform who was the first outside hire to lead the department in 16 years, and Dawanna Witt was elected Hennepin County sheriff, the first woman and Black person to lead the department.

The election of Moriarty, a former public defender, to county attorney mirrored the elections of similar “progressive prosecutors” including Chesa Boudin in San Francisco, George Gascón in Los Angeles and Larry Krasner in Philadelphia. Boudin was recalled from office in 2022, a first in California history. Gascón lost re-election. Krasner won re-election in 2021 and recently won the Democratic primary and is expected to hold onto his office for a third term.

State Rep. Cedric Frazier, DFL-New Hope, issued a news release at 7 a.m. Thursday announcing his consideration for the position, although he stopped short of saying he was running.

His statement was aligned philosophically with Moriarty as he blasted President Donald Trump for politicizing the country’s legal system “to serve his personal and partisan goals.” Frazier called the state courts the last line of defense against Trump and said the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office needs to be run by an experienced leader who can collaborate with “community and justice partners.”

Ryan Winkler, the former majority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, wasn’t surprised Frazier’s statement came so soon on the heels of Moriarty’s announcement. He said there had been rumors circulating for weeks that the political backers who supported Moriarty would turn that support over to Frazier’s candidacy.

Frazier said he would make a formal decision in the coming days.

Winkler finished third in the primary for Hennepin County attorney in 2022. He said he wasn’t sure if he would run again in 2026. When asked why, he said with a laugh, “Well, I do have a life.”

“If there are candidates who are ready to both be prosecutors and bridge builders and work in partnership with law enforcement and other justice partners, that would be a great candidate,” Winkler said.

Martha Holton Dimick, who finished as runner-up to Moriarty in 2022, said she’s fulfilled in retirement and has no plans to enter the race. She said she’ll be watching from the sidelines and is already concerned about what she viewed as a coordinated political shift from Moriarty to Frazier.

“He’s a former [public defender] who worked with Mary in the office and he has no recent courtroom or litigation experience,” she said. “What I’m concerned about is that I fear that Hennepin County will only get more of the same.”

“Can we just get a prosecutor?” Holton Dimick asked.

W. Anders Folk, a private attorney with Jones Day who served as acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, said numerous people asked him about running for the office. He called the support flattering and said he is “seriously considering the opportunity.”

A few big names said they have no intention of running, including Attorney General Keith Ellison and acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson.

Attorney Chris Madel, who successfully represented state trooper Ryan Londregan after Moriarty charged him with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Ricky Cobb before the charges were ultimately dropped, posted on the social media platform X that he wasn’t planning on running.

“Although there are many, many reasonable and great people in Hennepin County, I just don’t think they’re ready for a Republican County Attorney,” Madel wrote. “And besides, I have my eye on bigger, more impactful things.”

Madel has been long rumored to be considering a run at governor.

Matt Pelikan, a partner at Madel’s law firm, said he is looking closely at running for Hennepin County attorney.

He supported Moriarty in her candidacy but felt that her tactics and approach didn’t work.

“People are tired of the extremes,” Pelikan said. “There is a commonsense path forward that prioritizes public safety and equality under the law. ... Protecting our community is hard work and you need to foster relationships instead of picking fights.”

He added that the attorneys in the office need someone who will provide guidance and structure.

One current prosecutor said he is strongly considering running for the seat.

Hao Quang Nguyen, director of the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office trials and appellate divisions, said his life has been focused on public service and this feels like a natural next step.

“I firmly believe that the citizens of Hennepin County need an experienced leader,” said Nguyen, a refugee from Vietnam. “I know how to run a prosecutor’s office and I’m a reasonable, thoughtful, fair-minded leader.”

From his position working with the 86 county attorneys in Minnesota, Small said Moriarty’s decision to leave after one term is unique.

Typically, county attorneys stick around for multiple terms, unless they are forced out, Small said. He added that there has been criticism around the fact that county attorneys long hold onto their seats because the pay is generally less than the more lucrative private practice, which means a lack of challengers.

Moriarty’s visibility in the position has given an increased public awareness to the work of county attorneys, Small added. He pointed out that in short time Moriarty turned the office into a place that would be unfamiliar to former longtime Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman.

Her departure provides a unique opportunity for the voters in Hennepin County, Small said, to decide what direction the office takes next.