Don Samuels

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Don Samuels
Member of the Minneapolis City Council
In office
February 14, 2003 – January 6, 2014
Preceded byJoe Biernat
Succeeded byBlong Yang
Constituency3rd ward (2003–2006)
5th ward (2006–2014)
Personal details
Born (1949-05-13) May 13, 1949 (age 74)[1]
Jamaica
Political partyDemocratic
EducationPratt Institute (BS)
Luther Seminary (MDiv)

Don Samuels (born May 13, 1949)[1] is an American politician and activist, who served as a member of the Minneapolis City Council from 2003 to 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, Samuels came to national attention as a candidate for the DFL nomination for Minnesota's 5th congressional district, for which he placed an unexpectedly close second to incumbent Ilhan Omar in the 2022 primary.

Career[edit]

Minneapolis City Council (2003–2014)[edit]

Samuels was elected to represent Ward 3 on the Minneapolis City Council in a special election in 2003, completing the final three years of Joe Biernat's term.[2] Samuels defeated the DFL-endorsed candidate and was sworn in on February 14, 2003.[3][2] A 2005 redistricting led to Samuels' home becoming part of the city's Ward 5.[4]

Samuels made controversial statements in a lengthy interview with Mpls St. Paul Magazine in 2007. "If you’re the sort of white person who wants to help the city’s poorest—and most crime-ridden— region but is afraid of being called a racist, the Jamaican–born minister says that’s OK. He refuses to let white institutions bear all the guilt for the degradation of the North Side, calling out the predatory clergymen, irresponsible parents, and mau-mauing opportunists in the black community. We’re all sinners, says the ordained Baptist minister—but if we openly acknowledge our deficiencies, we can move forward together," the article stated.[5]

The most controversial part of the interview was when Samuels criticized Minneapolis public schools by stating "I've said burn North High School down!" referring to North Community High School. His comments drew criticism from Nick Coleman and others.[6] Samuels argued his comments were trying to raise issues about under-education of black youth by Minneapolis Public Schools.[7] He later apologized saying his statement was "an error [made] out of passion."[8]

Samuels briefly campaigned for Hennepin County commissioner in 2012.[9] Samuels supported public financing for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium.[10]

When Samuels ran for mayor in 2013 as a Democrat he drew donations and support from several Republican politicians despite there still being an endorsed Republican candidate for mayor.[11] Samuels did not run for reelection as city council member, so he could run for mayor.[12] In the election Samuels performed strongest in his north Minneapolis Ward 5 where he outpolled all other candidates including eventual winner Betsy Hodges.[13] Samuels's term ended January 6, 2014, when his successor Blong Yang was sworn into office.

Post-Council political career[edit]

Samuels was elected to serve Minneapolis Public Schools school board in 2014 as an at-large representative.[14] He served for one term, from January 13, 2015, until January 15, 2019.[15][16][17][18] While he was campaigning for school board, Samuels called the police on a hot dog giveaway led by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change which was conducting a get out the vote event.[19]

Samuels was among several Minneapolis residents who sued the Minneapolis City Council and mayor, Jacob Frey, in 2020, alleging they did not hire enough police officers as required by city charter.[20] In 2021, a public safety charter amendment was presented to Minneapolis voters. Samuels was active in the successful campaign to defeat the amendment.[21]

2022 congressional campaign[edit]

Samuels launched a DFL primary challenge for Minnesota's 5th congressional district against Ilhan Omar in March 2022. Samuels was endorsed by former Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, Medaria Arradondo[21] and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey.[22] According to campaign finance records, Samuels outraised Omar in the second quarter of 2022.[23][24] Samuels' campaign focused on crime and Omar's support for a city of Minneapolis ballot amendment that would create a Department of Public Safety in place of the Minneapolis Police Department.[25][22][26]

Samuels was defeated by Omar in the primary on August 9, 2022, though he came in second by 2.1% and less than 2,500 votes. By the end of the campaign Samuels had spent around $1.4 million.[27]

2024 congressional campaign[edit]

Samuels announced another primary challenge to Ilhan Omar in November 2023. The campaign's launch in November will lead to a longer campaign period than in 2022 when Samuels launched his challenge in March 2022 for an August 2022 election.[27][28] His campaign is being managed by Joe Radinovich, who also managed his 2022 campaign.[25] Public safety will be a theme of the campaign as it was in the last campaign.[26] Samuels initially differentiated himself from Omar on the Israel–Hamas war but both candidates agree on the need for a ceasefire.[22]

Personal life[edit]

Samuels moved to the United States at the age of 20 after growing up in Jamaica. Prior to being involved in politics, he worked as a toy/industrial designer for 30 years.[22] In 2005, Samuels commented that his family was descended from house slaves rather than field slaves.[3] Samuels lives in North Minneapolis.[16] He worked as CEO of a non-profit called MicroGrants and as of 2024, serves on their board. The non-profit makes small grants to low-income people.[29][30]

Samuels and his wife, Sondra Samuels, took a group of neighbor kids to Boom Island Park in 2020. While at the park the kids waded into the water and one child was swept away and drowned. Sondra Samuels's insurance company paid out a wrongful death settlement of $301,000 as part of the child's death.[31] After being criticized for his role in the child's death, Don Samuels tweeted "can't swim but can govern.", a tweet he later deleted and apologized for.[32][33]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Ostermeier, Dr. Eric J. "Minnesota Historical Election Archive". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Smart Politics - University of Minnesota. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b Olson, Rochelle (February 15, 2003). "Samuels joins City Council". Star Tribune. p. B3. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b Gilbert, Curtis (October 23, 2013). "Minneapolis mayoral candidate bio: Don Samuels". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  4. ^ Brandt, Steve (November 16, 2003). "When Samuels hits streets, it's personal". Star Tribune. pp. B1, B9. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Don Samuels: The Great Black Hope? | Out + About Features | The Best of the Twin Cities | Mpls.St..Paul Magazine". 2013-03-09. Archived from the original on 2013-03-09. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  6. ^ "The media firestorm over Don Samuels' comments". MPR News. February 7, 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  7. ^ Williams, Brandt (April 23, 2007). "A visit to Minneapolis North High School". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  8. ^ Collins, Terry. "Feb. 12, 2007: 'This is what drives me'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-10. Don Samuels admits he went too far this time. A suggestion to "burn North High School down," he now admits, was "an error [made] out of passion" to argue that Minneapolis public schools are failing black males. Yet the City Council member for the Fifth Ward remains unapologetic for challenging the status quo on the North Side, even if it further distances him from other black leaders who argue that "he doesn't get it."
  9. ^ Gilbert, Curtis (December 28, 2012). "Don Samuels mulls mayoral bid". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  10. ^ Rao, Maya (March 20, 2013). "Minneapolis DFL endorsement could prove pivotal in big election year". Star Tribune. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  11. ^ Gilbert, Curtis (September 10, 2013). "Don Samuels' mayoral campaign attracts Republican money". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  12. ^ Collins, Jon (November 4, 2013). "In Minneapolis, four candidates seeking to replace councilman Don Samuels". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  13. ^ Kaul, Greta (3 August 2017). "Where the votes that elect Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors come from". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  14. ^ Hawkins, Beth (5 November 2014). "In the end, frontrunners benefited from record spending in MPS board race". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  15. ^ Mahamud, Faiza (February 14, 2018). "Don Samuels won't seek reelection to Minneapolis school board". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Hackett, Ashley (11 March 2022). "Why Don Samuels decided to run against Ilhan Omar". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Regular and Annual School District No. 1 Regular Meeting: Minutes". Minneapolis Public Schools. January 13, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  18. ^ "Special School District No. 1 Annual Regular Meeting: Minutes". Minneapolis Public Schools. January 15, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  19. ^ Lahm, Sarah (October 17, 2014). "Don Samuels calls cops over hotdog giveaway". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  20. ^ Sepic, Matt (March 14, 2022). "Appeals court overturns Minneapolis minimum policing ruling". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  21. ^ a b Zdechlik, Mark (March 9, 2022). "Samuels to challenge Omar in DFL primary". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d Radelat, Ana (18 April 2024). "Same players, new issues in Ilhan Omar-Don Samuels rematch". MinnPost. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  23. ^ Radelat, Ana; Kaul, Greta (19 July 2022). "Big money once again pours into House races in Minnesota". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  24. ^ Roper, Eric (December 11, 2013). "Council to ponder reimbursing Samuels after FBI inquiry finds no wrongdoing". Star Tribune. p. B5. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ a b Faircloth, Ryan (March 29, 2024). "Rep. Ilhan Omar, Don Samuels prepare for closely watched DFL primary rematch". Star Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  26. ^ a b Radelat, Ana (12 November 2023). "Don Samuels announces rematch against Ilhan Omar in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District". MinnPost. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  27. ^ a b Zdechlik, Mark (12 November 2023). "Don Samuels seeks primary rematch against DFL Rep. Ilhan Omar". MPR News. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  28. ^ Karnowski, Steve (12 November 2023). "Progressive Minnesota US Rep. Ilhan Omar draws prominent primary challenger". AP News. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  29. ^ Platt, Adam (January 6, 2023). "TCB Q&A: What's Next for Don Samuels?". Twin Cities Business. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  30. ^ "About – MicroGrants". microgrants.net. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  31. ^ Dernbach, Becky Z. (28 September 2021). "Minneapolis nonprofit leader reaches wrongful death settlement in drowning of 6-year-old boy". Sahan Journal. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  32. ^ McLaughlin, Shaymus (March 15, 2022). "Don Samuels deletes tweet making light of child's drowning". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  33. ^ Faircloth, Ryan (August 6, 2022). "Policing, abortion at forefront of primary race between Rep. Ilhan Omar and Don Samuels". Star Tribune. Retrieved 7 August 2022.

External links[edit]

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