Mariam DeMello: How a DSA-dominated City Hall hurts Minneapolis at the State Capitol

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After years of working in municipal government, I’ve seen firsthand that one of the most important — and often least visible — responsibilities of city government is persuading the Minnesota Legislature to provide two critical things.

First, the state provides funding to pay for essential city projects when the benefits of those projects extend beyond a city’s borders or are too expensive for one city to afford alone. For example, in fiscal year 2024, the city of Minneapolis asked the Legislature for $44.45 million for the Nicollet Avenue Bridge over Minnehaha Creek, $8.34 million for the renewal of a 36-inch water main, $5 million to implement the ADA Transition Plan and $3.9 million for the Bossen Terrace Sanitary Sewer Project.

Second, the state provides policies — state laws that allow cities to operate effectively. Minneapolis has pushed for important reforms such as the 2020 police accountability legislation and, most recently, for the repeal of the state law preventing cities from enacting their own gun-safety ordinances following the Annunciation School shooting tragedy.

These cooperative efforts depend on a shared understanding among lawmakers in both the Minnesota House and Senate — including Republicans and Democrats from the suburbs and greater Minnesota alike.

But here’s the problem: When ideological extremes — like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) — dominate the Minneapolis City Council, it significantly damages the city’s credibility and its ability to build those essential relationships. The rhetoric from the far left in our city government has become so rigid and combative that it alienates the very legislators who would otherwise support Minneapolis because they understand how important our largest city is to the whole state. As a result, many Republican and even centrist Democratic lawmakers simply tune out our city altogether. In a Legislature that is both polarized and closely divided, Minneapolis cannot afford to lose the support of any group.

This is why political moderates matter.

“Moderate” doesn’t mean compromising your values — it means leading with reason, listening to diverse perspectives, and finding solutions that actually work. It means not attacking someone simply because they have the audacity to think differently. It’s about creating space for dialogue, not shutting it down. Compromise is not a dirty word in a democracy.

As a moderate Democrat and lifelong Minneapolis resident, I’m deeply concerned about the direction City Hall has taken under DSA influence. City leaders should be focused on delivering reliable services, managing tax dollars responsibly, improving public safety and expanding affordable housing — not waging ideological battles that further divide us. We should be addressing issues that affect the everyday lives of residents and businesses, rather than debating unrealistic ideas like ending capitalism, eliminating policing or banning cars.

No matter what’s happening in Washington under President Donald Trump — or anyone else — the reality is this: If Minneapolis wants real progress, we must rebuild bridges at the State Capitol. That means engaging respectfully, finding common ground and advancing legislation that benefits everyone — not just one political extreme.

Who we elect to City Hall will determine whether Minneapolis can work effectively with state leaders. Whether it’s securing funding for infrastructure or advancing policies that improve public safety and housing, collaboration with the Legislature is essential.

Our city’s challenges won’t be solved by slogans or purity tests. They’ll be solved through collaboration, balance, accountability and leadership that puts people ahead of politics.

That’s why I’m running to represent Ward 11 — to bring pragmatic, common-sense leadership back to City Hall and ensure Minneapolis has a strong, credible voice at the State Capitol.

Mariam DeMello (mariamdemello.com) is a candidate for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 11.

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