Minneapolis City Council Member Ward 8 Choose 3
As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval. Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilSee a complete list of Minneapolis City Council candidate forums at https://lwvmpls.org/2025-candidate-forumsIf your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info. If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from the LWVMN!
Biographical Information
telephone
6127180908
Contact Phone
773-992-6992
Facebook (Full URL)
http://facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.joshbforward8.org
Campaign Twitter Handle
@intent/tweet?url=https://www.joshbforward8.org
Campaign Email
info@joshbforward8.org
Why are you seeking a City Council seat and what are your qualifications?
I’m seeking a City Council seat to deliver practical, compassionate leadership that listens, unites, and acts. Ward 8 deserves responsive services, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and real economic opportunity and I’m ready to get results.
I bring 25 years of experience in contract negotiation, budget management, and consensus-building. I’ve served as a DFL Precinct Chair, union business agent, Board President of the Lyndale Neighborhood Association, youth coach, and community advocate. My work spans public safety reform, affordable and mixed-income housing, small business support, and workforce development. Rooted in Ward 8, I’ll lead with data-driven solutions, transparency, and inclusive engagement to represent every neighbor.
If you are elected, what will be your top two priorities as a City Council member?
My top two priorities are public safety and affordable housing.
Public Safety: Deliver a community‑first safety system—fully staff MPD and Fire, expand mental health and BCR responses, strengthen diversion and youth programs, and rebuild trust through transparent metrics and reform.
Affordable Housing: Accelerate mixed‑income and social housing, streamline zoning, and leverage public‑private partnerships, grants, and incentives. Expand pathways to ownership, prevent homelessness, and coordinate with county/state to address root causes.
How do you propose to increase the availability of and access to affordable housing for both renters and people seeking to buy their first home?
I’ll work to expand affordable housing and first-time homeownership by:
• Offering tax credits to spur mixed income and social housing.
• Streamlining zoning and permitting denser, mixed use projects.
• Leveraging grants, public private partnerships, bulk purchasing, and sustainable material subsidies to cut costs.
• Expanding down payment assistance and fair, accessible loan programs.
• Growing community land trusts for permanent affordability.
• Tying housing to transit and jobs, with increased resident engagement to ensure equitable outcomes.
What steps would you take to improve climate resilience in your Ward, particularly in areas prone to flooding, heat islands or lacking green space?
I’ll advance practical, community-driven resilience:
Targeted flood mitigation: upgrade stormwater infrastructure in vulnerable neighborhoods, expand permeable streets/alleys, and restore wetlands in partnership with watershed districts.
Cool the heat islands: plant thousands of trees where canopy is lowest, incentivize cool/green roofs and reflective pavements, and create shaded transit stops and schoolyards.
Add green space equitably: convert underused lots to pocket parks and community gardens; require green space in mixed-use, mixed-income housing.
Build with people: fund home retrofits for flood/heat, prioritize BIPOC and low-income blocks, and use clear metrics to track progress and accountability.
What role, if any, does the City Council have in supporting and monitoring the effectiveness of community groups who are working to improve public safety, prevent disturbances and the need for emergency services? Please explain.
The City Council has a clear role: set policy, fund what works, and demand accountability. To support that responsibility I work towards:
• Establish standards for training, coordination with 911/MPD/Fire, and data-sharing.
• Tie contracts to clear metrics: response times, de-escalations, referral follow-through, and community satisfaction.
• Require quarterly public reports and independent evaluations to assess outcomes and equity.
• Ensure alignment with Behavioral Crisis Response and youth programs to reduce repeat calls.
• Prioritize funding for groups serving highest-need areas and lived-experience staff.
• Adjust investments based on results to improve safety and trust.
Biographical Information
telephone
9524656179
Campaign Email
great4eight@gmail.com
Why are you seeking a City Council seat and what are your qualifications?
I have been unhappy with the candidate choices so I'm doing it myself. I'm a Minneapolis native and want to see the best for my city. As a homeowner and someone who works in the city, it has been a challenge the last 5 years. I bring a different view point as an hourly worker living paycheck to paycheck like so many who are unrepresented.
If you are elected, what will be your top two priorities as a City Council member?
My whole platform is working on what the voters tell me is important to them. I represent, not rule. They guide what my priorities will be.
How do you propose to increase the availability of and access to affordable housing for both renters and people seeking to buy their first home?
We are short almost 44k units of housing that will be needed by 2040. The only way to decrease cost is to increase supply. We need to look at how to create more single resident occupancy buildings, more conversions of existing structures to residential. Reduce red tape and regulatory hurdles to make affordable housing profitable for builders. They only build luxury units as that is how they remain profitable.
What steps would you take to improve climate resilience in your Ward, particularly in areas prone to flooding, heat islands or lacking green space?
Luckily, large parts of our ward have a good mature tree canopy. We also have quick access to the chain of lakes. I would like to see a program for distributing rain barrels so people can harvest free rain water for plant watering.
What role, if any, does the City Council have in supporting and monitoring the effectiveness of community groups who are working to improve public safety, prevent disturbances and the need for emergency services? Please explain.
Groups like MAD Dads or the Citizens for Loring Park Community that do safety walks are vital to a safe community. The city should encourage the creation and registration of such groups to be points of contact for the areas. Jane Jacobs said "Eyes on the Street" helps reduce crime. The more foot traffic and the more eyes on everything creates its own form of deterrence through citizen surveillance.
Biographical Information
telephone
6123890711
Facebook (Full URL)
http://www.facebook.com/p/Soren-With-Ward-8-100090284540284/
Campaign Twitter Handle
@x.com/sorenmpls
Campaign Email
sorenwithward8@gmail.com
Why are you seeking a City Council seat and what are your qualifications?
As the DFL-endorsed candidate in Ward 8, I’m running for City Council because my experiences as a homeless outreach worker, a renter, a housing policy advocate, a union member, and a survivor of police violence have given me an on-the-ground understanding of the most urgent issues our city faces. We need a city where everyone feels safe and has access to dignified housing. We also need a city that supports its workers and actively prepares for the climate crisis. My campaign is backed by a broad coalition of Ward 8 neighbors, 11 community organizations, 4 unions, and 12 elected leaders at all levels of government. Together we’ll protect our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities from Trump and fight for the changes we want to see in our city.
If you are elected, what will be your top two priorities as a City Council member?
1. Addressing the homelessness crisis: We have the tools we need to end homelessness, we just need the will to do it. On Council, I will push for an orderly transition for people off the streets into housing. The County is an excellent partner in this work, it is time for the City to step up and do its part.
2. Comprehensive public safety: Everyone should feel safe whether they are walking their dog at night or talking to a police officer. We need to hire civilian investigators, professionalize violence interruptors, and add responders who specialize in mental health crises and domestic violence. We need faster, more appropriate responses to 911 calls that will allow police officers to focus on the violent crime that they are trained for.
How do you propose to increase the availability of and access to affordable housing for both renters and people seeking to buy their first home?
To increase housing availability, we need to build more housing. I support a study for social housing, flexible zoning in the 2050 plan and working with emerging, local developers to build missing middle and eco-housing options. To increase affordability, we need TOPA, grants for first-time home-buyers and stable, reasonable property taxes supplemented by vacancy and land-value taxes, and–if the State passes it–a municipal income tax on the ultra-wealthy. We also need more renter protections like just-cause evictions and rent stabilization–which Ward 8 voters supported in 2021. Right now, landlords can legally increase their tenants’ rent by 100%. That is neither fair nor reasonable.
What steps would you take to improve climate resilience in your Ward, particularly in areas prone to flooding, heat islands or lacking green space?
Street reconstruction projects in Ward 8 (the 35th and 36th street reconstruction and George Floyd Square) are key opportunities for greater climate resilience: We need more trees and less concrete, as well as permeable sidewalks to help with melting and freezing ice. We need to make our streets safer and more enjoyable to use for non-drivers–whether it’s walking, biking, or rolling. Fewer cars on our streets means cleaner air: I would also push for more frequent bus routes and signal priority for buses. We need to fund the People’s Climate and Equity Plan, and transition buildings, transportation, and heating to zero carbon sources. Finally, I’ll work with the MPRB to increase the tree canopy in our existing parks and green spaces.
What role, if any, does the City Council have in supporting and monitoring the effectiveness of community groups who are working to improve public safety, prevent disturbances and the need for emergency services? Please explain.
With effective leadership and partnership, groups like community violence interrupters can be valuable assets in our public safety system. The City Council should be meeting regularly with both these community organizations working to improve public safety as well residents–particularly from the neighborhoods where the organizations are focusing their work. Regular meetings will strengthen channels of communication as well as build trust in our public safety system. The City Council should also promote the professionalization of these groups, and work with group members on ensuring their working conditions are safe and getting them the training and support they need to effectively carry out their work.
Biographical Information
Why are you seeking a City Council seat and what are your qualifications?
Candidate has not yet responded.
If you are elected, what will be your top two priorities as a City Council member?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How do you propose to increase the availability of and access to affordable housing for both renters and people seeking to buy their first home?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What steps would you take to improve climate resilience in your Ward, particularly in areas prone to flooding, heat islands or lacking green space?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What role, if any, does the City Council have in supporting and monitoring the effectiveness of community groups who are working to improve public safety, prevent disturbances and the need for emergency services? Please explain.
Candidate has not yet responded.