Five candidates seek Hennepin County Attorney's Office seat in primary election
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Voters in Hennepin County will narrow down a crowded field of candidates for county attorney Tuesday.
Five candidates are running to succeed Mary Moriarty, who announced a year ago that she would not run for a second term.
State Rep. Cedrick Frazier won the DFL endorsement for the position earlier this year. He previously worked as a public defender and a city council member in New Hope.
Frazier told MPR News he’s “the most well-rounded candidate,” vowing a focus on violence prevention and prosecuting ICE agents who commit crimes.
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Former U.S. Attorney Anders Folk is also pitching himself as an experienced candidate. He previously worked as a prosecutor in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and in the military.
Folk is one of several candidates who told MPR News he wants to depart from Moriarty’s work.
“We need a change of direction at the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office,” Folk said.
Moriarty faced criticism during her time in office for plea deals offered to defendants, and for alleged poor relationships with police departments.
Candidate Diane Krenz, who has previously worked in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor, also said she’s running to bring the office in a new direction.
“The Hennepin County Attorney's Office needs to refocus on its core mission, promoting public safety by holding violent and repeat offenders accountable,” Krenz told MPR News.
Ramsey County assistant attorney Hao Nguyen is also seeking the seat. He said his position in a prosecutor’s office has prepared him for the work he wants to do in Hennepin County.
“We’ve lowered gun violence, reduced auto theft, cut racial disparities, and more, all through hard conversations and collaboration,” Nguyen said.
Rounding out the field is local attorney Matt Pelikan. He, too, told MPR News he wants to rebuild trust in the office.
“Hennepin County needs a County Attorney who can bring safety and justice together,” Pelikan said. “That means taking violent crime seriously, protecting constitutional rights, supporting victims, rebuilding trust, and holding power accountable — whether on a street corner, in a boardroom, or wearing a badge.”
The two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary will continue to the general election in November.
Hennepin County voters can compare candidates and find more information with MPR’s voter guide.
