Minnesota gang violence emerges as key issue ahead of election

The BCA is also scheduled to meet with local law enforcement officials Friday afternoon to discuss ways to combat the growing problem.

With just 25 days until Election Day, the violence is emerging as a key issue in Minnesota’s election campaigns.

Republican gubernatorial candidate and state House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster, have each issued multiple statements addressing the issue.

“The Walz status quo isn’t working,” the 59-year-old said. “Our campaign is committed to making Minnesota a safer place to live, work and raise a family. We’re listening to our local communities about the best ways to strengthen public safety and crack down on Somali gang violence.”

On Friday, she added a promise to support law enforcement.

“Enough is enough,” Demuth said. “No community should be defined by the actions of a few. And every community deserves to be safe from gang violence. I will fight to give law enforcement the resources they need to protect Minnesotans.”

Tafoya expressed similar concerns, though calling out her opponent Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan by name.

“We cannot allow Somali gang violence to continue threatening our neighborhoods and communities,” Tafoya said. “Peggy Flanagan has presided over this explosion in gang violence. This has happened on her watch. She has no answers and no solutions. Minnesotans deserve leaders who will confront this violence, support law enforcement, and demand accountability. I will.”

Republicans blame a “soft-on-crime” approach from Democrats, as well as cuts to funding for the gang activity.

Flanagan has not addressed crime recently, instead focusing on Medicaid access, the Iran war, and cost-of-living issues.

Democrat U.S. Senator and gubernatorial candidate Amy Klobuchar has briefly touched on crime, releasing a statement earlier this week regarding a thwarted terrorist attack at the Mall of America.

“This shows why we continue to need major coordinated investments in anti-terrorism and local law enforcement to stop attacks like these,” Klobuchar said. “Our state must take terrorism and violent crime head on, working with our federal law enforcement and local police departments to keep Minnesotans safe.”

This all comes as new data from both state and federal law enforcement for 2025 shows drops in violent crimes, including rapes, assaults, and theft in Minnesota.

That said, there are still some concerned about persistently high crime rates in the state’s metropolitan areas, as previously reported by The Center Square.

“A large part of violent crime in our region, especially in the Twin Cities, comes from gang activity. Our agents work closely with local, state, and federal partners to target offenders in groups that cause the most harm,” said Benni Jonsson, an assistant special agent in charge at the Minneapolis FBI office. “When we remove violent offenders and their illegal guns, neighborhoods feel safer right away.”