>> CATHY: WE DON'T DO MANY DEBATES ON "ALMANAC" FOR CITY OR COUNTY RACES.

AFTER ALL, WE ARE A STATEWIDE PROGRAM.

BUT WITH INCREASED ATTENTION ON HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR SEVERAL REASONS, INCLUDING OPERATION METRO SURGE, WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S RACE THIS YEAR.

IT'S AN OPEN SEAT.

MARY MORIARTY IS STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF HER FIRST TERM.

CEDRICK FRAZIER IS A D.F.L.

HOUSE MEMBER FROM NEW HOPE.

HE WAS THE TOP VOTE GETTER IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

ANDERS FOLK IS A FORMER U.S.

ATTORNEY.

HE CAME IN SECOND IN THE PRIMARY.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Cathy: ANDERS FOLK, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

MARYMORE YARTY HAD A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO DEALING WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

AND THERE WERE DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOR THOSE SORTS OF OFFENDERS.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY OF A YOUNG PERSON COMMITS A SERIOUS CRIME?

>> LOOK, I THINK THE KEY THING HERE WITH ANYBODY COMMITTING A CRIME, JUVENILE, ADULT, OR WHATEVER, IS THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE THE APPROPRIATE CONSEQUENCE IN THE APPROPRIATE CASE.

I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM THE LAST FOUR YEARS, CERTAINLY IN JUVENILE CRIME, IS THE FAILURE TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO THINGS THAT I THINK ARE MOST CRITICAL.

WHICH IS GETTING THAT RIGHT BALANCE OF OMPASSION AND CONSEQUENCE.

AND I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN AND HEARD FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS IS THAT JUVENILES AND ESPECIALLY JUVENILES COMMITTING VERY SERIOUS OFFENSES AREN'T BEING HELD SUFFICIENTLY ACCOUNTABLE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS MOST CRITICAL IS ENSURING THAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT OBVIOUSLY IN EVERY CASE BY THE JUVENILE, BUT MOVING FORWARD IN A WAY THAT ENSURES PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Cathy: CEDRICK FRAZIER, MARY LAHAMMER DID THE STORY ABOUT THE HOUSE RACES IN BLAINE THERE.

AND ONE OF THE CANDIDATES CALLED IT CATCH AND RELEASE UNDER MARY MORIARTY.

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

>> SOME OF THESE CASES, IF THESE INDIVIDUALS, IF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT CONSIDERED COMPETENT, THEN THEY HAVE TO BE RELEASED.

WHAT I'M GOING TO BE WORKING WITH ALONG WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ALONG WITH LEGISLATORS THAT I HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH, WE'LL BE WORKING ON HOW DO WE FIND RESOURCES TO FIND MORE TOOLS TO DEAL WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY MAKE BAD DECISIONS?

THAT COULD BE AT HOME OR IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND I CAN TELL YOU IN THIS RACE, THAT MESSAGE IS RESONATING WITH PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY I HAVE SUCH BROAD RANGE OF ENDORSEMENTS.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH DO YOU GUYS DIFFER?

I WONDER IF THIS COMES DOWN TO A REFERENDUM ON MARY FLIER FOUR YEARS IN THE OFFICE.

>> MY OPPONENT WORKED VERY HARD TO GET MARY MORIARTY ELECTED.

AND SUPPORTED HER FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I'VE BEEN CLEAR IN THIS CAMPAIGN THAT IF I'M ELECTED ON DAY ONE, THE MARY MORIARTY ERA ENDS.

BUT IN TERMS OF HOW THIS OFFICE IS RUN AND THE FUNDAMENTAL DIRECTION OF THIS OFFICE, WE COULDN'T BE MORE DIFFERENT.

>> YEAH, LOOK, MARY MORIARTY IS NOT RUNNING AGAIN.

I'M RUNNING IN THIS RACE.

AND WHEN OUR RESUMES HAVE BEEN PUT -- I'VE BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT MY RESUME, AND WE'VE HAD IN THE PRIMARIES WITH OVER 30,000 VOTES, THEY SAID THEY WANT CEDRICK FRAZIER, SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN A LEADER AT THE STATE CAPITOL, WHO'S BEEN A LEADER AS A LABOR ATTORNEY FOR OVER A DECADE, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE MY ENTIRE CAREER, FIGHTING FOR THE WORKING PEOPLE, EVEN WHEN IT'S TOUGH.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T AGREE AND WE'RE WORKING TOWARD A SOLUTION TOGETHER AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> SO I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT WE SAW FIVE CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY.

58% OF HENNEPIN COUNTY VOTERS VOTED FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS EXPERIENCE AS A PROSECUTOR.

AND I THINK THE THING TO REMEMBER HERE IS THIS IS THE LARGEST PUBLIC LAW OFFICE IN MINNESOTA.

THIS IS THE LARGEST PUBLIC PROSECUTION OFFICE IN MINNESOTA.

AND I THINK VOTERS ARE VERY CLEAR, THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THIS EXPERIMENT WE HAVE RUN HAS FAILED.

LEADING A PUBLIC LAW OFFICE INTO THE SEAT.

>> Eric: CRIME IS DOWN IN THE COUNTY.

12% DOWN IN 2025.

FEWER HOMICIDES.

DOWN 19%.

NOW, IS THAT BECAUSE CRIME IS DOWN, OR BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER PROSECUTIONS OR FEWER CRIMES BEING REPORTED?

>> NO, I THINK CRIME IS DOWN, BUT WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR ABOUT, EVEN THOUGH CRIME IS DOWN, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY, EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN THAT COMMUNITY IS ACTUALLY FEELING WHEN THE CRIME IS ACTUALLY DOWN.

WE'RE SEEING THAT AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT WHAT WE ALSO KNOW IS THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIMES ARE UP.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M GOING TO BE FOCUSING IS HOW DO WE BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT.

I WILL BE ELEVATING OUR VICTIM SERVICES BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE WORKING THERE.

WE WWE NEED TO HAVE THEM MORE VISIBLE, BUT ALSO TO HELP REHABILITATE PEOPLE AND HELP PEOPLE GET BACK ON TRACK WHAT IT HAPPENS.

MANY OF THE SAFETY NET PROGRAMS THAT OUR COUNTY FUNDS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND H.R.-1 IS GOING TO CUT THOSE PROGRAMS, SO HOW DO WE KEEP THOSE RESOURCES IN PLACE?

>> YOU KNOW, ERIC, YOU RAISE A REALLY GOOD POINT.

WE'VE SEEN YEAR OVER YEAR REDUCTIONS IN SOME F OUR CRIME RATES AND WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY LIFT THAT UP.

BUT IF WE LOOK BACK FORTH, PRE-PANDEMIC, SOME OF OUR CRIME RATES ARE STILL ELEVATED ACROSS HENNEPIN COUNTY AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT NATIONALLY WE'RE SEEING ALL-TIME LOWS IN CERTAIN PLACES IN TERMS OF CRIME AND VIOLENT CRIME RATES.

BALTIMORE IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT.

BUT WHAT I'M REALLY FOCUSED ON IS LOOKING AT AREAS WHERE WE CAN DO BETTER AND HAVE TO DO BETTER.

RIGHT NOW IN MINNEAPOLIS, YOU'RE TWICE AS LIKELY TO GET ROBBED AS YOU ARE IN ATLANTA OR BOSTON.

AND, YOU KNOW, SO OFTEN I THINK THE MEDIA NARRATIVE ON MINNEAPOLIS IS, OH, IT'S A DYSTOPIA HELLSCAPE, NOBODY SHOULD GO THERE, BUT I THINK THAT'S FLAT-OUT WRONG.

WE CAN AND SHOULD DO BETTER AND ONE WAY WE DO BETTER AND IT'S A MULTIVARIABLE EQUATION THAT WE'RE SOLVING HERE, BUT ONE WAY IS WITH THE PROSECUTION OFFICE THAT PROSECUTES, THAT HOLDS PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND FOCUSES LIKE A LASER ON THE VIOLENT REPEAT OFFENDERS.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED, CEDRICK FRAZIER, THAT YOU WANTED TO BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

>> I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

AS A LEGISLATOR I WORKED ON OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS BILL.

LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISED AN ISSUE.

THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY THE LAW WAS WRITTEN AND SPECIFICALLY AROUND LIABILITY.

I BROUGHT IN COMMUNITY ADVOCACY GROUPS, I BROUGHT IN STUDENTS.

I BROUGHT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I BROUGHT IN COMMUNITY LEADERS.

I BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT HEARING EACH OTHER.

THEY WERE NOT EARING WHAT THE REAL FOCUS WAS, WHAT THE REAL ISSUES WERE AND WHAT THE ULTIMATE END GAME WAS.

AND I KNOW THAT THEY WERE IN DISAGREEMENT, BUT WHEN WE GOT THEM TOGETHER IN A ROOM, WE FOUND A SOLUTION AND A WAY FORTH.

AND WE PUT A WHOLE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE HOW WE HIRE S.R.O.s, HOW WE TRAIN THEM, CREATED A TRANS PARENTED SYSTEM WITH GUARDRAILS, AND REGULATIONS.

>> Cathy: AND HOW WOULD YOU BRING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE ISSUES?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S A CRITICAL PART OF BEING A LEADER IN A PUBLIC LAW OFFICE.

SO THE CHIEF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR THE STATE, ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID ALL THE TIME WAS CONVENING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ECOSYSTEM.

AND DOES THAT INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT?

FOR SURE.

DOES THAT INCLUDE EDUCATORS, FAITH LEADERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS?

YES.

AND THE IDEA IS YOU BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER TO LISTEN, TO DRIVE STRATEGY BASED ON THAT INPUT.

AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THIS TOP-DOWN CRAM-DOWN IS TOP-DOWN CRAM-DOWN I APPROACH.

DOESN'T WORK.

WE HAVE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S BASED ON EXPERIENCE ON WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> IF I COULD JUST SPEAK TO THAT.

I REPRESENT THE CITIES OF CRYSTAL AND NEW HOPE.

I FEW YEARS AGO, MY POLICE CHIEF HAD TO WRITE AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, MIKE FREEMAN, BEGGING TO COMMUNICATE AND HAVE OPEN DIALOGUE AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES WITHIN OUR CITIES AND WITHIN OUR AREA, RIGHT?

SO THAT GOES BACK.

I KNOW MY OPPONENT, AGAIN, WANTS TO RUN AGAINST MARY MORIARTY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

IT WAS UNACCEPTABLE THEN.

IT WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY LEADER'S TO HAVE THAT MISCOMMUNICATION.

>> Eric: HOW WOULD YOU HAVE HANDLED THE METRO SURGE AS A COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> LOOK ... GOAL ONE, ANYBODY WHO VIOLATED MINNESOTA LAW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

AND THESE FEDERAL AGENTS, I'VE DESCRIBED THEIR TACTICS AS BRUTAL AND WANTON.

ANY FEDERAL AGENT WHO VIOLATED MINNESOTA LAW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Eric: DOESN'T IT ALL GO TO THE FEDERAL SYSTEM, THOUGH?

>> THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE THINGS.

ALL HESE CASES THAT ARE CHARGED IN STATE COURT I THINK ULTIMATELY WILL BE REMOVED INTO FEDERAL COURT BY OPERATIONAL LAW.

THAT MEANS THOSE CASES WILL ULTIMATELY, IF THEY -- ASSUMING THEY'RE IN FEDERAL COURT, THEY WILL BE TRIED BEFORE A FEDERAL JURY, IN FRONT OF A FEDERAL JUDGE, APPLYING STATE LAW.

AND I THINK IF EVER IT'S BEEN CRITICAL TO HAVE SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE IN FEDERAL COURT, TRYING FEDERAL CASES, DRIVING STRATEGY IN FEDERAL MATTERS, IT'S THESE CASES WHICH WE WILL, WE HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

EVERY CASE THAT WE TAKE FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY TO FEDERAL COURT IS GOING TO BE A CASE -- THESE ARE GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY HIGH PROFILE CASES.

>> Cathy: AND IF YOU WERE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THE TIME OF OPERATION METRO SURGE, WHAT WOULD WE HAVE SEEN FROM YOU?

>> YOU WOULD SEE EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO COLLECT EVIDENCE.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS EVIDENCE.

WE'RE GOING TO INVESTIGATE AND WE'RE GOING TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE CAN BRING CHARGES.

THAT WAS CRITICAL BECAUSE I WAS OUT THERE AFTER RENEE GOOD WAS KILLED, AFTER ALEX PRETTI WAS SHOT.

AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS, IT FELT JUST LIKE IT FELT WHEN GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED.

THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WAS HAD THAT DID NOT SAY WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID AND WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.

IT SAID THE OPPOSITE, AND THAT WAS THE NIGHT THAT CIVIL UNREST REALLY BECAME A PROBLEM.

I WOULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD.

AND I TOLD MEMBERS WHEN I WAS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CAN HOLD THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

IF WE GET THE EVIDENCE AND HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO PROSECUTE, THEY SHOULD PROSECUTE IF THE EVIDENCE SAYS SO, BUT THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND I BELIEVE THE OBLIGATION TO DO THAT SO THAT MINNESOTANS CAN MOVE ON AND ACTUALLY HEAL.

SO HAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT WOULD YOU DO.

AND I'M WONDERING HOW YOU SEE THE ROLE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WHAT'S THE DEFINITION OF THIS FOR YOU?

>> FOR ME, YOU'RE THE FACE OF THIS OFFICE.

IN THIS ORGANIZATION, RIGHT?

AND FOR ME, THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I'LL TELLING YOU THIS.

I GREW UP ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO IN A COMMUNITY THAT HAD TERRIBLE GUN VIOLENCE, TERRIBLE DRUG TRAFFICKING AND GUN VIOLENCE AND I SURVIVING ALL THOSE THINGS AND I NEVER FELT SAFE WHEN I WAS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND I ALWAYS WISH WE HAD LEADERS THAT UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO COME FROM THOSE COMMUNITIES AND LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE BUILT A COUNTY-WIDE COALITION, NOT A COUNTRY CLUB COALITION THAT'S EXCLUSIVE, IT'S INCLUSIVE OF EVERYONE.

IT'S RESONATING WITH VOTERS AND IT'S WHY WE WON OVERWHELMINGLY ON PRIMARY NIGHT.

>> Cathy: AND HOW DO YOU SEE THE JOB?

>> YOU'RE FERGUSONLY >> YOU'RE FERGUSO FUNDAMENTALLYA SERVE LEADER, FOR EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY AND TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR THE OFFICE AND FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY.

YOU NEED TO BE A RESOURCE FOR YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS.

YOU NEED TO BE A RESOURCE FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO CARE DIEPLY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND YOU NEED TO BE THERE FOR YOUR EAM.

YOU NEED TO LIFT THEM UP.

MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW YOU'VE GOT THEIR BACK.

AND THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS.

LEADERSHIP IN THESE ROLES IS HARD.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THICK SKIN.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO ADMIT YOU'RE WRONG WHEN YOU'RE WRONG.

IT'S LIKE THE LAST FOUR YEARS ON A CONSTANT REPLAY.

BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.

IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY WHO JUST WANT TO KNOW OMEBODY'S LOOKING OUT FOR THEM AND TAKE FOR THEM AND TAKING CARE OF THEM.

>> Eric: HOW SENSITIVE IS RACE IN THE CRIME DEBATE?

AND I WONDER, I JUST SAW THE EDINA POLICE CHIEF COME OUT WITH A FACEBOOK POST SAYING THAT THE SOMALI GANGS HAVE TO BE CONTROLLED OR -- I'M NOT SURE ELIMINATED, BUT CHROMED ANYWAY.

CONTROLLED ANYWAY.

AND IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF SUB TEXT ABOUT CRIME AND MINORITIES AM I WRONG?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT NARRATIVE IS OUT THERE AND I THINK IT'S HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE.

I THINK CRIME IS SPECIFIC TO ANY PARTICULAR DEMOGRAPHIC OR COMMUNITY.

AS A BLACK MAN GROWING UP, I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS ALL MY LIFE WHERE YOU'RE BEING BLAMED FOR THINGS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT WHEN CRIME HAPPENS, WE SHOULD GO AFTER THOSE FOLKS.

WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE, WE SHOULD PROSECUTE AND LOCK THOSE INDIVIDUALS UP.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD EVER DISTILL IT DOWN TO A PARTICULAR RACE OR DEMOGRAPHIC IS THE PARTICULAR CAUSE OF A CRIME.

>> AGREE.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD YOU BOTH DO, THOUGH, ABOUT PROSECUTING GANG VIOLENCE?

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP AS HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, THERE'S A COUPLE PIECES TO THIS.

SO I'M GOING TO USE THE SAME KIND OF STRATEGY AND APPROACH I USED BOTH AS A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR BUILDING THESE CASES PERSONALLY AND LEADING TEAMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS PERSONALLY, UT ALSO THE STRATEGIES I USED LEADING THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HAVING LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND THAT IS, WE TAKE A STRATEGIC DATA DRIVEN APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING THE GROUPS THAT ARE CAUSING CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE THEN FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON ENSURING THAT WE'RE INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW AND GETTING THEM OFF THE STREETS AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ORGANIZED CRIME OR GANG CRIME, THERE'S A FEW THREADS THAT ARE ALMOST ALWAYS PRESENT.

GUNS.

VIOLENCE CONCENTRATED IN JERN GEOGRAPHIES THAT CAN SPREAD ALL AROUND AND A FEELING F A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S BEING PREYED UPON AND SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY PRECISE BUT TARGETED AND VERY CLEAR THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE IT.

I'VE DONE THIS ON MULTIPLE LARGE AND IN SOME CASES NATIONAL STREET GANGS IN MINNESOTA AND IT'S REALLY HARD WORK BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WORK AND I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS ABSOLUTELY UP TO THE TASK.

>> Eric: ARE THOSE PROCEDURES BEING CONDUCTED CURRENTLY WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM IN HENNEPIN COUNTY?

>> I THINK THERE'S VERY STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS RIGHT NOW WITH THE PARTNERS WITHIN HENNEPIN COUNTY WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS I'M GOING TO BE WORKING ON.

I'VE HAD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WORK CLOSELY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO WORK ON OUR RISK PROTECTION ORDER LAW.

I'VE WORKED ON CREATING LANGUAGE TO GIVE ACCESS TO BODY CAM FOOTAGE AND WORKING IN THE PAST LEGISLATION, CLEARANCE RATES FOR NONFATAL SHOOTINGS.

I'VE BEEN DOING IT IN TANDEM WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN DEPARTMENTS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK ACROSS THIS COUNTY.

WHAT I WILL SAY, I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT I GREW UP IN A PLACE THAT WAS RAVAGED BY GANG VIOLENCE.

I UNDERSTAND XACTLY WHY A LOT OF THEE KIDS GET INVOLVED.

ONE OF MY FIRST MEETINGS WHEN I NOW SAID I WAS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE WAS WITH THE PRINCIPALS FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS.

WHAT I SAID TO THEM IS WE'RE GOING TO BE A PARTNER.

YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS AND YOU SEE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY HAPPEN BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE, YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MOMENT AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'RE NOT GETTING.

BUT ALSO TO IDENTIFY WHERE PROBLEMS CAN BE SO WE CAN GET THERE BEFORE IT HAPPENS, BUT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT GETTING THOSE KIDS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE WAY.

>> Cathy: THERE USED TO BE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY HOME SCHOOL THAT KIND OF A RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, PLACE WHERE SOME OF THESE REALLY TROUBLED COULD GO.

AND IT WAS CLOSED.

AND I WOULD WONDER, WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED AS HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY TO LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

IT'S EXPENSIVE, THOUGH.

>> IT IS.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN.

WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE A THIRD OPTION FOR JUVENILES WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND YOU USE THE WORD CATCH AND RELEASE.

I MIGHT USE THE WORD REVOLVING DOOR.

FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE APPROACH WE'VE USED HAS DPAILED.

FAMED.

FAILED.

I THINK THE COUNTY HOME SCHOOL, THAT MODEL COULD BE A REALLY PRODUCTIVE MODEL.

AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THAT KIND OF RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU'VE GOT PROGRAMMING AND REHABILITATION, BUT YOU'RE GETTING KIDS OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE A LOT F THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES ARISE AND YOU'RE GETTING THEM SOMETIMES OUT OF THE GROUPS OF FOLKS THAT ARE CAUSING THEM TO GET INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CRITICAL.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME, ENERGY, A LOT OF WORK TO DO THAT, BUT I THINK IT HAS TO BE ON THE TABLE.

>> Eric: WASN'T THERE A BILL TO PUT SOME OF THESE IN RAMSEY COUNTY?

>> YEAH, I'LL SPECK TO THAT.

SPEAK TO THAT.

I THINK WE CANNOT HAVE ANOTHER SITUATION LIKE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY HOME SCHOOL.

THERE WASN'T A PLAN WHEN IF WAS CLOSED.

KIDS WERE BEING ABUSED THERE.

I SPOKE TO SOMEONE WHO USED TO WORK THERE RECENTLY AND WHO WAS A VOTER, I WORKED THERE, IT WAS TERRIBLE, BUT WE DO NEED MORE TOOLS.

THE THING THAT HAPPENED IN RAMSEY COUNTY, THERE WAS LEGISLATION BROUGHT TO CREATE FIVE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTY.

ONE THING THAT WE KNOW, WHEN WE WERE INTERVENING, IT OFTEN IS A VERY GREAT THING IF THEY HAVE SOME CLOSE PROXIMITY TO FAMILY SUPPORT OR COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAT CAN STILL BE THERE FOR THEM TO HELP WHILE THEY'RE GETTING TREATMENT WITHIN THE FACILITY, BUT THEN WHEN THEY'RE UNWRAPPING THEM BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY IS VERY SUCCESSFUL LONG TERM.

I WOULD BE ALIGNED WITH AND FOCUSED ON DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS WELL AT THE CAPITOL NEXT YEAR.

>> YOU GETTING ANY FEEDBACK AT THE DOOR ABOUT GUN LEGISLATION?

>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS A REAL CONCERN ABOUT GUN CRIME.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE JUST SEEN THIS TRAGIC SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS WHERE YOU HAVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE OVERLAY WITH GUN CRIME.

AND IT'S SO DEVASTATING.

AND SO WHAT I HEAR FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE DAY AFTER DAY IS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE UNS, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

THAT WAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY I THINK FOR LEADERSHIP FROM OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I THINK SHE AILED.

AND I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON IS HOW DO WE AS AN OFFICE OF PROSECUTORS PUT PROACTIVE STRATEGIES IN PLACE THAT RECOGNIZE THAT DEADLY MIX BETWEEN FIREARMS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FIREARMS, REPEAT OFFENSES?

AND SO PEOPLE ARE ABSOLUTELY CONCERNED ABOUT GUN CRIME.

IT'S SOMETHING I'M REALLY EXCITED TO TAKE ON.

I'VE DONE THIS WORK BEFORE.

I TALK A LOT IN SOME OF THE PLANS I'VE PUT OUT ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO EMBED PROSECUTORS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT SO WE CAN SPEED UP OUR DECISION MAKING WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THESE GUN CRIMES.

>> Eric: WHAT DO HEY CALL IT?

SWALLOW THE GUN IN A PLEA BARGAIN NEGOTIATION WHERE THEY SAY WE'LL DEZ MISS THE GUN CHARGE.

AND I WONDER IF THE COURTS ARE TAKING THAT SERIOUSLY?

>> WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, BUT WHAT I'M HEARING AT THE DOORS, I'M THE AUTHOR OF THE EXTREME RISK PROTECTION LAW.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED, SHOULD HAVE BEEN PETITIONED FOR AT THE RECENT SHOOTING THE RECENT SHOOT SHOOTINGS AT TE FORMER LORING TOWERS.

AND WE DIDN'T USE A TOOL IN THAT.

BUT AS I LEARNED AS MORE INFORMATION WAS COMING OUT, WHEN YOU GET THAT INFORMATION AND HOW YOU SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

WE CREATED LAYERS IN THAT LAW.

FAMILY MEMBERS CAN PETITION FOR THESE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN PETITION FOR THESE.

THE CITY ATTORNEY.

THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE PETITION FOR THIS.

BUT IT ALSO WAS BASED ON WHEN THAT INFORMATION WAS GATHERED BECAUSE YOU NEED THAT THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

I'M NOT GOING TO POINT FINNING YES, YEYES, YEFINGERS.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS SOLUTION.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

IF IT'S CLOSE, YOU FILE IT, BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT DUE PROCESS WITHIN THIS LAW.

AND SO I'M FOCUSING ON WHAT I'M GOING TO BE WORKING WITH STAFF ON, WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?

DO YOU NEED MORE VECTORS SO YOU CAN FOLLOW UP AND GET HE INFORMATIONOR NEED?

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR OPINION OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT?

>> BSOLUTE DISASTER.

I DON'T RECOGNIZE IT.

IT'S HEART-BREAKING.

>> Eric: WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> POLITICS GOT INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND IT'S BEEN WEAPONIZED BY THE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS WEAPONIZED THIS TO TAKE ON HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES.

AND IT'S WHY WE NEED PROSECUTORS, FRANKLY, WHO ARE APOLITICAL AND ARE MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT'S BEST FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

AS SOMEBODY WHO SPENT YEARS OF MY LIFE PROSECUTING CASES FOR THIS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, I TRULY DON'T RECOGNIZE IT AND IT HURTS.

>> Cathy: HOW WOULD YOU KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IF YOU WERE ITS LEADER?

>> FOCUSED ON THAT PUBLIC SAFETY MISSION.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT RHETORIC.

IT'S ABOUT RESULTS.

YOU FOCUS ON BRINGING THE RIGHT CASES AND BRINGING THE RIGHT CASES FOR THE RIGHT REASONS WHICH TO ME IS ALWAYS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Cathy: SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN KEEP POLITICS OUT OF IT, BUT YOU KEEP POLITICS AWAY FROM.

AND EVERYONE I TALK TO, I SAID I'M GOING TO KEEP THE POLITICS AWAY FROM YOU.

WE'RE BOTH HERE HAVING THIS DEBATE BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO GET VOTERS TO VOTE US INTO THIS OFFICE.

IT IS POLITICAL BY NATURE.

BUT THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH EVERY SINGLE PARTNER, THAT YOU'RE BEING TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSIBLE.

DECISIONS SHOULDN'T BE MADE ON A INSTRUCTLY BASED ON POLITICS.

BUT YOU DO HAVE TO HAVE SOME POLITICAL ACUMEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT I ROLE.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THAT AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY.

WHEN YOU WROTE IN AN OP-ED KIND OF LIFTING UP MARY MORIARTY, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT SHE WASN'T A POLITICIAN.

THIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NEEDS TO BE RUN WITH ONE MISSION IN MIND.

PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT'S A NONPARTISAN RACE AND IT IS A RACE WHERE THE ONLY FOCUS SHOULD BE, ARE WE ELECTING WHO'S GOING TO MAKE THIS COUNTY SAFER FOR EVERYBODY?

AND WE DON'T WANT A POLITICIAN RUNNING THIS OFFICE.

>> THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POLITICIAN AND HAVING POLITICAL ACRE YOU HAVING POLITICAL ACRE ACUMEN.

BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE PERSPECTIVE AND SEE THE WHOLE TABLE TO BRING THE RIGHT VOICES UNTIL RIGHT VOICES U VOICES IN THE RON WHEN THEY DISAGREE.

I HAVEN'T ONLY BEEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

I'VE ALSO BEEN A LABOR ATTORNEY FOR OVER A DECADE.

I'VE WORKED ON THE CIVIL SIDE IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I'VE BEEN A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

SO MY CAREER IS VERY BROAD.

VERIYED PERSPECTIVES AND IT RESONATES WITH VOTERS.

I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT MY RES IN RES RESUME.

WHAT MY OPPONENT NEVER TALKS ABOUT WHICH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, HIGH LEVEL APPOINTMENT UNDER TRUMP.

HE IS A CORPORATE DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

>> THAT IS A LIE.

>> HE IS LOOKING >> HE IS LOOKI LOOKING OUT FOR E BOTTOM LINE OF -- VOTERS ARE SAYING WE WANT SOMEONE WHO IS HERE WITH THE PEOPLE AND DEFENDING WORKING PEOPLE.

>> LET ME JUST RESPOND AND IT'S SUCH A POLITICIAN THING TO DO WHAT YOU JUST DID.

I NEVER WORKED IN AN APPOINTED POSITION UNDER ANY ADMINISTRATION OTHER THAN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THAT'S WHY I'M ENDORSED BY MAYOR FREY AND JOE BIDEN AND ANDY LUGER.

YOU'VE BEEN FACT CHECKED ON THIS BY THE "STAR TRIBUNE" AND THEY'VE CALLED YOU OUT.

THIS IS THE KIND OF POLITICS AS USUAL THAT PEOPLE ARE SO SICK OF.

WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS OUT OF THIS OFFICE THAT HAS TO BE -- >> LET ME ASK YOU DIRECTLY.

YOU WERE NOT THE NUMBER TWO IN THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE UNDER THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> I WAS THE SENIOR CAREER PROSECUTOR.

AND IF YOU DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE -- >> I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE.

>> THEN YOU'RE EITHER MISREPRESENTING IT BLATANTLY.

>> SO LET'S BE CLEAR TO THE VOTERS.

YOU DID WORK IN THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> I DID NOT.

I WAS A CAREER PROSECUTOR, AND THAT IS NOT PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

>> PERIOD.

>> Cathy: WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU BOTH HOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COULD IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST A LITTLE STICKY OBVIOUSLY.

SO I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU, CEDRICK FRAZIER.

>> BY HAVING CONVERSATIONS, BY MEETING WITH THEM.

WHAT I'VE ALWAYS DONE AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND WHEN I WAS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR POLICE CHIEFS AND OUR STAFF OFFICERS >> OFFICERS.

BUT JUST CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

WE HAD A ONE TO ONE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH HE MAJORITY OF THE POLICE CHIEFS FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY, AND ONE OF THE CHIEFS ASKED ME, HOW DO YOU GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT AND COMMUNICATE WITH MY LINE OFFICERS.

I SAID, INVITE ME OUT TO YOUR ROLL CALL.

THEY'LL HAVE ACCESS TO ME.

I'LL BE RESPONSIVE.

AND THAT'S HOW THEY'LL KNOW THEY'VE GOT A LEADER TO WORK CLOSELY TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> Cathy: AND YOU, MR.

FOLK.

>> YOU CHANGE DIRECTION COMPLETELY FROM THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

AND IT'S AND IT INTERESTING TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU ENDORSED ROBIN WONSLEY FOR MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL WHO HAS CALLED FOR DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AS SOMEBODY WHO'S PROSECUTED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, I KNOW THAT ACCOUNTABILITY IS CRITICAL, BUT TO BE A GOOD PARTNER, IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> LOOK, I'M ENDORSED BY A WIDE SWATH OF LEGISLATORS FROM ALL OVER THIS COUNTY AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ENDORSED ME IF THEY BELIEVED THE THINGS THAT THIS GUY JUST SAID.

SO I'M GOING TO STICK WITH THAT.

I'VE GOT THE RELATIONSHIPS.

I'VE GOT THE POLITICAL ACUMEN.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Eric: ANYTHING YOU MIGHT ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO DO IN THE 2027 SESSION IF YOU'RE ELECTED?

>> I THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN HELP ALL OF OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICES BY ENSURING THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATE FUNDING, AND BEYOND THAT, I'M EXCITED TO GET INTO THIS OFFICE AND MOVING IT FORWARD AND I AM EXCITED TO TAKE THESE 500-PLUS CIVIL SERVANTS AND MOVE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I'M THE ONLY LABOR ENDORSED CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE ND I RAISE THAT BECAUSE I'M NOT A CORPORATE DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

BUT WHAT I AM IS SOMEONE WHO BEEN FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES MY ENTIRE CAREER, AND THE AFSCME LOCAL THAT REPRESENTS ALL THE STAFF ARE VICTIM ADVOCATES, OWRL ATTORNEYS, OUR PARALEGALS, THEY HAVE ENDORSED THIS CAMPAIGN.

>> Eric: JUST A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

HOW SAFE IS HENNEPIN COUNTY?

>> I THINK IT'S SAFE.

BUT I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER AND WE'VE GOT TO DO A LOT OF BETTER AND THERE'S CERTAIN POCKETS OF HENNEPIN COUNTY WHERE WE NEED TO DO A LOT, LOT BETTER.

BUT THIS IS NOT SOME DYSTOPIAN HELLSCAPE.

IT'S A GREAT COUNTY, IT'S A GREAT CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

ALL THE CITIES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY ARE WONDERFUL PLACES TO LEAVE.

BUT THERE ARE PLACES THAT DON'T FEEL SAFE.

THERE ARE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE GOT TO HAVE A COUNTY ATTORNEY HAVE THEIR BACK.

AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED A CHANGE?

>> Eric: IS IT SAFE UNTIL HENNEPIN COUNTY.

>> I AGREE IN GENERAL IT'S SAFE.

I USED TO LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T FEEL SAFE EVEN WHEN THOSE CRIME RATES GO DOWN.

>> Cathy: SAY, CRIME VICTIMS, REALLY QUICKLY, WHAT -- JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING, WOULD YOU DO QUICKLY FOR CRIME VICTIMS THAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT?

>> PEOPLE CAN GO TO MY WEBSITE.

I'VE TALKED ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CRIME VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WE'RE GOING TO CENTER OUR WORK ON CRIME VICTIMS.

IT'S WHAT I'VE DONE MY WHOLE CAREER.

>> I'M GOING TO ELEVATE THAT OFFICE.

HIGHER UP TO GIVE IT MORE VISIBILITY.

GIVE IT MORE RESOURCES AND I'VE ALSO TALKED ABOUT CREATING A VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS ADVISORY BOARD TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TALKING DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE.

>> Eric: HOW FIRED UP IS THE CRIME ISSUE AMONG VOTERS?

REAL QUICK?

>> YES.

>> I WOULD SAY DEPENDS ON WHICH COMMUNITY YOU'RE IN.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> Cathy: AND WHAT'S YOUR WEBSITE?

>> ANDERSFOLK.COM.

>> AND CEDRICKFRAZIER.COM.

>> CATHY: THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

QUICK NOTE FOR OUR STATEWIDE AUDIENCE BEFORE I HEAD OVER TO THE MONITOR FOR THE HISTORY PORTION OF THE SHOW.

WE WILL BE HOSTING A SERIES OF "ALMANAC" DEBATES BETWEEN NOW AND ELECTION DAY, INCLUDING THE TOP CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL AND FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.