A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things. It will not come if we wait for some other person or for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek. Barack Obama
Ryan P. Winkler is the Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He has represented District 46A which includes portions of St. Louis Park, Plymouth, and Golden Valley since 2019. He recently announced he is stepping down from his role at the Capitol and will be running for Hennepin County Attorney.
“I’ve held that position long enough, Winkler said in the KFAI broadcast of Conversations with Al McFarlane last Tuesday. “It’s time to make room for some of the up-and-coming, diverse, and talented future leaders.”
“One of my top priorities if elected, will be championing transformation in the juvenile and criminal justice system and strengthening programming for our youth and their families in a way that reduces racial biases that have historically led to over-policing and the targeting of African Americans. I intend to carry out components of my platform through engagement, not promising, but identifying resources, and advocating for equity, fairness in sentencing and various addiction treatments, and looking long term as to how we can close the intentional disparaging gaps in almost every aspect of normal and quality living for people of color,” Winkler said.
Winkler said he’d work on halting the cycle of senseless violence not just afflicting the Twin Cities, but nationwide. He said that calls for true leadership and having trust in law enforcement. “Incidents like the killing of Amir Locke definitely enhance the mistrust,” he said.
Transformational change depends on who shows up at the decision making table and on how insistent people are in being part of the process, not just coming as guests or an outside force, he said.
Six-term House Member, Rena Moran (St. Paul, 65A), chairman of the Ways and Means Committee is running for the Ramsey County Commissioner seat being vacated by Toni Carter who is retiring.
Moran said she is proud of the ‘good work’ that has been accomplished by her dedicated colleagues but has grown weary of the House-Senate divide that has historically stifled progress in the state. Like House Majority Leader Winkler, Moran said she wants to work even more directly with the people, listening to their concerns, making every effort to address their needs such as housing and food insecurities, and letting the political agendas reflect accountability from the top down.
Moran said given the nearly $8 billion state budget surplus projected, not enough investment has been earmarked for St. Paul and the Rondo community.
“It’s imperative that leadership and the governing bodies come to a reasonable, bi-partisan consensus as to how to widen the circles of opportunity and equity. One of the focuses must be on generational wealth,” Winkler said.
