Jason ChavezServing

Jason Chavez

City CouncilDemocrat

MN-Minneapolis City Council Ward 9 City Council

Mexican (parents from Puebla, Mexico)·Chair, Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee

Why This Race Matters

Chavez won his third consecutive election in 2025 with 77.4% of the vote, demonstrating strong Ward 9 support. His current term runs through January 2030. As a Democratic Socialist endorsed by Twin Cities DSA, he is part of a progressive bloc on the Minneapolis City Council alongside Robin Wonsley that has pushed immigration legal services funding and police oversight reforms.

About

Jason Chavez is a Minneapolis City Council member representing Ward 9, elected in 2021 at age 25. He is the first LGBTQ+ Latino to serve on the Minneapolis City Council. Born and raised in the East Phillips neighborhood by working-class Mexican immigrants, he experienced homelessness at 13 when his family lost their home during the 2008 housing crisis. A first-generation college graduate and Democratic Socialist, he has secured over $20 million in community investments for Ward 9 including affordable housing, environmental justice initiatives, and immigration legal services.

Family & Heritage

First-generation American born and raised in the East Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis. Parents are working-class immigrants from Puebla, Mexico. First in his family to graduate from college. At age 13, his family was evicted and he experienced homelessness during the 2008 housing crisis, after which he worked at a community soccer league to help support his family financially. His success at the College of St. Scholastica inspired five relatives to enroll, including his brother Bryan Chavez-Cruz and cousins Josue Chino-Cruz, Allen Cruz, Lidia Angeles-Cruz, and Chantell Armijo-Cruz.

Political Career

Before Politics

Committee Legislative Aide to Representative Carlos Mariani (Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee) and Representative Mohamud Noor (Workforce and Business Development Committee) at the Minnesota House of Representatives. Community organizer in Ward 9.

Education

B.A., College of St. Scholastica (2018); Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (2014); Andersen United Community School. Received the Sister Timothy Kirby Social Justice Scholarship. Accepted to 13 colleges; was Student Body President at St. Scholastica.

Key Issues & Priorities

*Housing as a human right (secured $9.8M in affordable housing, $5M Public Housing Levy, eviction moratorium ordinance)
*Police accountability (authored 6 amendments to Community Commission on Police Oversight)
*Environmental justice and climate equity (first-ever dedicated climate change funding, $1 bus rides for low-income residents)
*Immigration legal services ($500K budget amendment with Robin Wonsley)
*Community safety with public health approach
*Small business and worker support

Suggest an Edit