Jones wins house seat, Callahan school board position

This Nov.5, along with voting overwhelmingly for democratic candidates in the national and statewide elections, Southwest Minneapolis residents elected two new people to represent them at the local level: Katie Jones as a state representative (top image) and Greta Callahan (lower image) as a new Minneapolis Public School Board member.
Jones, endorsed by the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party, will replace Frank Hornstein as the area’s new 61A district state representative. Jones received 84% of the vote and Green Party candidate Toya López received 15% of the vote. Hornstein did not seek reelection this year.
“I’m so thrilled to be able to represent 61A, and I’m taking this role very seriously,” said Jones, who lives in Lowry Hill East and will be transitioning out of her current job at the Center for Energy and the Environment in 2025 to dedicate herself full-time to her new job at the legislature.
“Right now, I am getting to know members of the caucus and newly elected representatives because building relationships and working in coalition is how to get work done at the capitol,” she said. She is also “digging into the state budget because that’s our top priority next year.”
“My goal with this campaign was to encourage my neighbors to take up their own leadership. It doesn’t have to be in electoral politics. It doesn’t have to be a formal title,” said Lopez, who has been taking some time to rest and reflect. “With the results of this election season, nationwide, I hope my neighbors take heart. I hope we are able to come together and chip away at the foundations of the systems of oppression that have taught us to fear each other.”
She added, “For now, I’ll get another job and have a different title, but I’ll still be out here, supporting my community, in every way I can while receiving support in return.”
As she looks to her first legislative Jones is focused on finding ways to support small businesses, incentives for office-to-residential conversions, decarbonization bills, implementing climate solutions in industries to reduce greenhouse gasses, and supporting public schools which could include a moratorium on new charter schools and improving oversight of existing ones.

STATE RACE RESULTS
In other Southwest state representative races, the DFL-endorsed candidates won every seat. Jamie Long won reelection as the 61B representative with 89% of the vote over Republican-endorsed Bob Carney. DFL candidate Aisha Gomez won reelection as the 62A State representative with 90% of the vote against her Republican opponent Alexandra Hoffman Novick. Anquam Mahamoud with 87% of the vote defeated Bob Sullentrop for District 62B, which includes one precinct in southwest; and Emma Greenman defeated Diane Napper with 85.27% in District 63B along the area’s south border.
“With the tie in the House, of 67 DFLs and 67 Republicans, this may be an especially challenging this year,” said Long. “I’m hopeful we can find a way to work collaboratively with the Republicans in the House,” he said, noting that “they only control one-sixth of state government.”
Long is one of three DFLers on an organizing committee who will be working with Republican counterparts to develop a plan for the committee assignment and leadership. “It will be important to identify areas of bipartisan agreement,” Long said.

NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
The other newly elected southwest resident is Greta Callahan, who was elected as the new District 6 Minneapolis Public School Board Member, replacing Ira Jourdain, who did not seek re-election. Callahan received 62% of the vote, and Lara Bergman received 37%.
“This victory is not mine. It’s a testament to the collective voice of our community, educators, families, and students who are passionate about building a strong public school system that works for everyone,” said Callahan. “And we had another victory – the school funding ballot measure succeeded. It is clear that Minneapolis wants to stabilize our school district and see our public schools thrive and grow.”
The Minneapolis Public Schools technology tax levy passed with 66% of voting yes and 34% voting no.
Looking ahead, Callahan said that she would “prioritize stability, student well-being, and programming that families want. I am eager to work with our superintendent, my fellow school board directors, and state legislators to ensure we’re prioritizing our students and making common-sense decisions that will strengthen MPS for generations to come.”
“My campaign sparked honest, hard conversations across District 6, reawakened a commitment to collaboration, and showed how powerful it can be when we unite with shared values and clear priorities for all students,” said Bergman. “I am beyond proud of everything we’ve accomplished, and I’m so grateful for everyone’s support, passion, and belief in what’s possible for our schools.”
She that next year will bring challenges and opportunities for the school system. “Let’s continue building bridges, showing up with courage and compassion, and holding to the values we embraced throughout this campaign,” she said. “Let’s remain engaged, find new ways to support each other, and step forward to support the well-being and success of all MPS students.”
Kim Ellison, with 58% of the vote, returns as the at-large school board director. Her opponent Shayla Owodunni received 42% of the vote. District 2 school board director Sharon El-Amin and District 4 school board director Adriana Cerrillo were unopposed and were both reelected with 98% of the vote.

WHAT’S NEXT?
Looking ahead, Long said, “The states are going to be more important than ever. During the last Trump administration, we did a lot to protect our freedoms and rights, and we will likely have to do that again.” He said it would be important to implement recently passed legislation and preserve gains made in area like choice, democracy, and climate. “All we can do at this point is to make sure we are following through with the progress we have made and make sure we are standing up for Minnesota.”
“Strong public schools are an essential part of a healthy and vibrant city. We can take action to retain the families we have in our public schools and recruit back students not currently enrolled in MPS,” said Callahan. “I promise to all Minneapolis families that I will bring the same energy to the board that I have brought to this campaign, to the classroom, and to the negotiating table.”
“I urge our legislature to support inclusive financing and to oppose lifting the nuclear moratorium. These are key for environmental justice,” said Lopez.
“And in the wake of the election,” Jones said, “I want to do what I can to protect our rights. This district is the home and birthplace of Twin Cities Pride, and we need to do what we can to protect the LGTBQ+ community, access to reproductive health care, and our civil rights in the wake of Trump’s election.”
“I also think it is worth laying out for the Minnesota public what we’d like to do in areas such housing, education, affordable health care and more” to help make the case for regaining a majority in two years, said Long. To regain a DFL majority next election in 2026, “we only need to flip one seat,” he noted, so “it’s worth advocating for the things we need as a community so we are prepared.”