After serving in the Minneapolis City Council for over two and half years, Jamal Osman announced his plans to run again this November.
Osman won his first election in August, 2020, in which he defeated the AJ Awed by 10% of the votes. The following year in 2021, he defeated Abdirizak Bihi by more than 20% of the votes. And with accomplishments in City Hall and momentum on his side, he’s going for another run.
When Osman entered office in 2020 in a special election in August, it was just three months after the infamous killing of George Floyd. As the city was still reeling from its effects, he faced the perennial issues of racism head-on.
As a council member, Osman spearheaded several criminal justice reforms that would increase transparency in policing practices, while trying to build trust between the police force and the people of color that represent Minneapolis.
In addition to racial issues, Osman has contributed to changes on key issues in education, affordable housing, and empowering the youth of Minneapolis.
One of the youth organizations Osman is a part of is the Rock The Neighborhoods, an organization that works with disadvantaged youth across the Twin Cities through various programs, such as internships, training workshops, and vocational educational seminars. Additionally, he has served on the board of the Phillips Community Clinic.
Osman represents Ward 6, which includes Cedar-Riverside, Seward, and Ventura Village neighborhoods, among others. The population of the people of color in Ward 6 is much higher than other parts of Minneapolis. Furthermore, fifteen percent of Minneapolis is foreign-born. And Osman represents both groups.
And as election season draws near in this fall, Osman is hoping to keep his seat to continue the work he’s started. “I’m here to work for the 6th ward,” he says. “I’m going to bring the same commitment to be a champion for the people I represent.”
