Don Samuels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Samuels
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| Member of the Minneapolis City Council | |
| In office February 14, 2003 – January 6, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Biernat |
| Succeeded by | Blong Yang |
| Constituency | 3rd ward (2003–2006) 5th ward (2006–2014) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 13, 1949 Jamaica |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Pratt Institute (BS) Luther Seminary (MDiv) |
Don Samuels (born May 13, 1949) is an American politician, activist, and non-profit executive who served as a member of the Minneapolis City Council from 2003 to 2014. A member of the DFL, Samuels represented the 3rd and 5th wards during his three-term tenure. He also served one term as an at-large representative on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board from 2015 to 2019.
Samuels is the former CEO of MicroGrants, a Minnesota non-profit that offers small grants to low-income individuals. Samuels came to national attention when he placed an unexpectedly close second to incumbent Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in the 2022 DFL primary for Minnesota's 5th congressional district. Samuels ran again in 2024 but lost to Omar again by a wider 13% margin.
Contents
Career
Minneapolis City Council (2003–2014)
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. Samuels defeated the DFL-endorsed candidate and was sworn in on February 14, 2003. A 2005 redistricting led to Samuels' home becoming part of the city's Ward 5.
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.
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. Samuels argued his comments were trying to raise issues about under-education of black youth by Minneapolis Public Schools. He later apologized saying his statement was "an error [made] out of passion."
Samuels briefly campaigned for Hennepin County commissioner in 2012. Samuels supported public financing for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium.
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. Samuels did not run for reelection as city council member, so he could run for mayor. In the election Samuels performed strongest in his north Minneapolis Ward 5 where he outpolled all other candidates including eventual winner Betsy Hodges. Samuels's term ended January 6, 2014, when his successor Blong Yang was sworn into office.
Post-Council political career
Samuels was elected to serve on the Minneapolis Public Schools school board in 2014 as an at-large representative. He served for one term, from January 13, 2015, until January 15, 2019. During his campaign, Samuels called the police on a Get Out the Vote event by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change. At the event, hot dogs were given away and Samuels called the police because he thought food was being sold illegally. Police questioned event organizers to see if they were trying to elicit votes and Samuels later said that he was a supporter of Neighborhoods Organizing for Change.
In 2020, Samuels was among several Minneapolis residents who sued the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey, alleging they did not hire enough police officers as required by city charter. In 2021, Samuels was active in the successful campaign to defeat a charter amendment that would have eliminated the Minneapolis Police Department.
2022 congressional campaign
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 and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey. According to campaign finance records, Samuels outraised Omar in the second quarter of 2022. 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.
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.
2024 congressional campaign
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. His campaign is being managed by Joe Radinovich, who also managed his 2022 campaign. Public safety will be a theme of the campaign as it was in the last campaign. Samuels initially differentiated himself from Omar on the Israel–Hamas war but both candidates agree on the need for a ceasefire.
At the DFL convention for the seat in May 2024, Samuels lost the DFL endorsement to Omar on the first round of voting. He plans to still compete in the August primary election, the winner of which will most likely be elected in November. In the first quarter of 2024 Samuels raised $400,000 while Omar raised $1.7 million.
Personal life
Samuels was born in Jamaica on May 13, 1949, as one of ten children of a Pentecostal minister. He moved to the United States at the age of 20 to pursue an education and subsequently worked as a toy/industrial designer for 30 years. Samuels lives in North Minneapolis with his wife and four children.
In 2020, Samuels and his wife, Sondra, took a group of children to Boom Island Park. The children were recipients of social services through Sondra Samuels' nonprofit, Northside Achievement Zone. While there, the children were allowed to put their feet in the water, though one was swept away as he waded in and drowned. Sondra Samuels' insurance company later paid out a wrongful death settlement of $301,000. After being criticized for his role in the child's death, Don Samuels tweeted "can't swim but can govern," a tweet he ultimately deleted and apologized for. He has called that day "the most devastating day in our lives."
Samuels was the CEO of a non-profit called MicroGrants which issues small grants to low-income individuals and families. The non-profit administers a program called LightsOn! where rather than ticket low-income drivers for broken tail lights, drivers are offered a $250 repair vouchers that may be redeemed through local partners. The program was created following the 2016 shooting of Philando Castile, who was killed by a police officer after being pulled over for a broken tail light.
