Former Minneapolis City Council Member Joins Rep. Dean Phillips' Presidential Campaign
A former Minneapolis City Council member who supported the contentious movement seeking to dismantle the city's police department that arose in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder is now part of Rep. Dean Phillips' presidential campaign.
The move to bring Alondra Cano into the campaign's leadership offers a stark contrast to Philips' centrist views on law enforcement matters. Phillips, a moderate critical of the "defund the police" movement, is running against President Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic primary. Leading Democrats fiercely oppose Phillips' campaign.
"Dean's leadership strategy has been clear from his announcement — his goal is to build a diverse team that includes all voices at the table," Phillips' campaign said in a statement. "And just like our campaign, which lets a wide range of opinions generate the best ideas for the future of our country, Dean is committed to bringing diversity of voice and thought to the White House."
During his time in elected office, Phillips has consistently expressed his support for law enforcement and has actively worked to assist in law enforcement recruitment. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, which represents numerous officers in the state, endorsed Phillips in his last two congressional races, according to its website.
Cano, who was the first Latino elected to the Minneapolis City Council, made a statement on social media shortly after Floyd's murder, stating that "the Mpls Police Department is not reformable." She later posted from an official account that "a veto-proof majority of the MPLS City Council just publicly agreed that the Minneapolis Police Department is not reformable and that we're going to end the current policing system."
A citywide vote in 2021 regarding the replacement of the police department with a department of public safety failed to pass and caused significant division among Minnesota Democrats. Cano, who did not provide a comment, previously announced that she would not seek reelection to her council seat.
Phillips recently announced his presidential campaign but faces significant challenges in gaining support within the Democratic Party.
In response to inquiries about Cano and policing, Phillips' campaign issued a statement affirming that "the Congressman's stance on this issue has always been clear."
"He stands behind the overwhelming majority of law enforcement professionals who carry out challenging and perilous duties to safeguard the citizens of this nation," the statement expressed. "He has also emphasized the necessity for reforms that put an end to the disproportionate incidents of violence against individuals of color, specifically Black Americans, in encounters with law enforcement."
