VIDEO: Crime, inflation top of mind for Minnesota voters

Around the shores of Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis we found high prices and public safety at the top of many voters' lists. 

Alpha News reporter Liz Collin talks with voters around Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. (Alpha News)

With a little more than 100 days until the midterm elections, Alpha News asked voters what’s on their minds.

Around the shores of Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis we found high prices and public safety at the top of many voters’ lists.

“They’ve gotta figure out what’s causing so much inflation and then if it’s fuel costs then they have to do everything they can to change that around,” one man told us.

“Gas prices, food prices, all that kind of stuff. I do foster care for kids, and I work for a residential treatment facility so it makes a difference for them, too,” another woman added.

A poll last month showed nearly 80% of Minnesotans think the nation is moving in the wrong direction. The same MinnPost/Change Research poll found 59% think Minnesota itself is on the wrong track.

A small majority of the 1,551 likely general election voters said they approve of the governor’s record on jobs but disapprove of his record on crime, education, and even COVID-19.

Many voters we talked to brought up crime as their top issue, with some expressing serious concerns about the future of Minneapolis.

“I’m mostly worried about the crimes in our neighborhood,” a woman told us.

“We own a business here in the city of Minneapolis and just last night we were robbed. Our business was broken into and burglarized,” another man said.

Others pointed to abortion as their top concern, while some criticized the GOP’s record on climate change.

These responses align with national trends, according to Rasmussen. Their polling has gas prices, inflation, the economy and violent crime as the top four issues nationally. Abortion comes in at the number-seven spot.

 

Liz Collin

Liz Collin has been a truth-teller for 20 years as a multi-Emmy-Award-winning reporter and anchor. Liz is a Worthington, Minnesota native who lives in the suburbs with her husband, son and loyal lab.