Tension emerges during policy debate at Hennepin County Board District 6 candidate forum

On the surface, the Sept. 11 Hennepin County Board District 6 candidate forum, hosted by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, appeared typical: structured, courteous, and policy-focused.

Incumbent Heather Edelson and challenger Marisa Simonetti addressed familiar issues such as taxes, crime, and housing. However, an undercurrent of tension became evident beneath the veneer of polite discourse.

Edelson, 43, is a former DFL state representative who won a May 14 special election to complete the term of Chris LaTondresse, who resigned last fall. Simonetti, 31, a political newcomer and self-described conservative, was the runner-up in the April primary among six candidates, with the top two advancing to the special election for the nonpartisan seat.

The winner of the Nov. 5 general election will serve a four-year term starting in January 2025. District 6 includes 66 precincts, with six located in northern Eden Prairie. The Hennepin County Board, composed of seven members serving over 1.3 million residents, manages the county’s budget and oversees essential services, including public health, safety, transportation, and housing.

Simonetti’s arrest draws attention

It wasn’t the policies that made this race stand out, but rather the elephant in the room: Simonetti’s June arrest for fifth-degree assault, a misdemeanor, after allegedly throwing a tarantula during a dispute with a tenant at her Edina home. The incident gained national attention, leading to her recent appearance on A&E’s “My Strange Arrest.” Since then, Simonetti has faced scrutiny over her personal life, including admitting to having an OnlyFans account under the name “Jennie Kennedy XO,” and questions about her alleged involvement as a paid escort. She is due back in court on Oct. 17, where she plans to plead not guilty to the assault charge.

In her opening remarks, Simonetti described herself as a “controversial businesswoman” and then shifted focus to her platform: offering a “practical plan” to reduce property taxes and address crime with more restorative justice.

“It feels like we can all agree that Hennepin County needs major changes, though we may have different perspectives on how to achieve them,” Simonetti said. “Today is an opportunity to explore and create our story of resilience and renewal here in Hennepin County.”

While Simonetti emphasized overcoming personal challenges, Edelson highlighted her government experience and early efforts since taking office in June, including hiring staff and meeting with all 16 mayors of the communities represented in District 6.

“I’ve been attending meeting after meeting to understand how the county works,” she said. “It is complex, it’s big, and we have a lot of pressing issues in our district.”

Edelson pointed to concerns about aquatic invasive species, particularly in Lake Minnetonka, noting that District 6 contains the most water of any district in Hennepin County. She underscored the need for economic assistance, increased staffing, and affordable housing, emphasizing that each issue demands thoughtful and deliberate action.

“This isn’t about me, Heather Edelson,” she said in her opening remarks. “When we run for office and show up for these jobs, it’s about the work we do for the people. You can always count on me to take that responsibility seriously.”

A moment of tension surfaces

The forum, mostly cordial, saw its most significant moment of tension surface during this exchange.

In response to a question about the skills she would bring to the county commissioner role, Simonetti referenced her personal challenges and a message she heard the night before from Attorney General Keith Ellison at a T.O.N.E. U.P. (Teaching Ourselves New Examples to Uplift People) meeting, a Minnesota-based initiative focused on justice and equity, held at the Minnesota Justice Research Center. She added that she has worked with the center to promote restorative justice in the area.

“Ellison is a controversial figure – some love him, some hate him, and others fall somewhere in between,” Simonetti said. “But he shared a really touching message: it doesn’t matter where someone starts or what their past is; that can be the very reason they’re qualified to take action.”

Acknowledging her own past, Simonetti added, “Hennepin County has been facing a lot of challenges, and I’ve experienced plenty of challenges in my life as well, but I always land on my feet. I’m someone who’s not afraid to hold the line and who understands the duty to defend. As you may have seen in recent news, and as we move forward, there will be more evidence showing that I made the right decisions.”

Edelson, taking the opportunity during a budget-related question, revisited Simonetti’s earlier remarks.

“I’m really curious about what you mean by ‘duty to defend,’” Edelson asked. “I won’t lie — I’d really love to know.”

As for the skills Edelson brings to the role, she emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with both the community and elected officials. A lifelong Hennepin County resident, she noted her experience on various boards and commissions and established connections with state lawmakers.

“I grew up with a single mom, and we didn’t have a car until I was 16,” Edelson said. “I saved up by working at Frank’s Nursery and the (SuperAmerica) gas station as a cashier to buy my first car. I was the first in my family to go to college, so I understand the struggles many Hennepin County residents face. I know firsthand how life-saving these county services can be because my family relied on them. With me, you get someone who not only has lived experience but truly cares about people.”

Focusing on the issues

For the most part, however, the candidates stuck to the issues. The forum addressed key county governance issues such as property taxes, crime, housing, economic assistance, and public safety.

On property taxes, Simonetti criticized recent tax hikes and promised to advocate for more fiscally responsible solutions. “From 2023 to 2024, they raised (property taxes) by 6 1/2 percent,” she said, noting that Minneapolis has also passed a plan to increase property taxes by another 8.1%.

“One important responsibility of the county commissioner is to generate revenue to pay for valuable services the community uses, but to do so in a responsible and thoughtful way that doesn’t make homeownership difficult for people on fixed incomes or families just starting out,” Simonetti added.

Edelson, on the other hand, emphasized her experience as a former state lawmaker and her focus on practical solutions to Hennepin County’s ongoing challenges.

“When you come to the county, you realize that it’s not about one pressing issue; there are multiple big issues our county is facing,” Edelson said. “I would say one of the top issues is ensuring we have enough staff to maintain the strong county services we provide.

She said the county has a solid infrastructure, but one challenge is retaining and appropriately paying staff.

“We’re currently in (labor) negotiations, which is a particularly challenging time,” she said. “This affects areas like probation, county attorneys, and the sheriff’s department. At times, sheriffs are working double shifts to staff some of the understaffed police departments, not just across Hennepin County, but even beyond District 6. For instance, Golden Valley and Minneapolis have been short several officers. So when we think about the county’s challenges, it’s not just one issue — it’s multiple.”

Simonetti and Edelson addressed the controversial 49% pay raise proposal for Hennepin County commissioners, which was ultimately withdrawn in August after public backlash. Simonetti, critical of the proposal, expressed her concerns during the forum.

“We’ve had significant fraud in Hennepin County, and the current commissioners tried to push through a 49% pay raise for themselves, to the outrage of many,” Simonetti said.

The proposal, which would have increased commissioner salaries from $122,225 to $182,141 by 2025, was scrapped following intense public opposition. Instead, commissioners unanimously approved a more modest 5% pay raise for 2025 and 2026.

Edelson, who voted against the original proposal, explained her approach during the forum when asked how she handles controversial issues.

“A good example of a controversial issue I’ve encountered so far on the board is the proposed pay increase, which I voted against and spoke in opposition to,” Edelson said. “In handling that, I focused on the economics – what would the pay raise do to our budget? I researched what other commissioners across Minnesota are paid, considered the size of our county, and examined the pay of our county staff.”

She said she consulted several mayors to understand how they handle pay increases and sought input from her fellow county commissioners. Ultimately, she made her decision by “weighing” all these perspectives.

“When it comes to controversial issues, I aim to strike a balance,” Edelson said. “While I am a Democrat, I’ve always been pretty moderate, both at the Capitol and now on the County Board, and that’s the approach I intend to continue.”

In response to the question about her approach to controversial issues, Simonetti explained that she seeks guidance from a close-knit group of trusted advisors.

“In my life, I surround myself with people who are both highly trustworthy and highly competent,” she said. “Anyone else, I keep at a distance. So when making difficult decisions, I consult with those trusted individuals and also seek input from the community and its leaders to understand how these decisions will impact them.”

Both candidates shared their perspectives on improvements in law enforcement and correctional services.

Edelson emphasized the importance of addressing retention and recruitment in law enforcement, noting the increasing number of women entering the field. “It’s exciting to see more women graduating and entering law enforcement, but it’s still not enough,” she said. 

She pointed to the success of local police departments in District 6, which have embedded social workers to help address community needs.

However, Edelson noted that the issue of retention and recruitment extends beyond local or state levels and requires broader solutions.

“We need to make sure we’re dealing with the fact that we have an immigration problem that’s not working for us,” Edelson said. “We’re not able to have people immigrate to this country to fill the jobs that we need. And we really need to have a hard conversation about that. The county is actually able to do that, and I would like to see us really push on that when the Legislature starts again.”

Simonetti highlighted the county commissioner’s role in funding key programs, pointing to homelessness and unemployment as major drivers of recidivism. While Hennepin County has initiatives to address these issues, she said many, particularly those offering chemical dependency treatment, are understaffed.

“Research shows that addiction is a health issue, and when treated as such, we can address the root causes and help people move forward in their lives,” she said.

She praised the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA), which provides inmates with trade skills in exchange for shorter sentences, offering them employment opportunities upon reentry. Simonetti also emphasized Canopy Roots, a diversion program that redirects mental health-related 911 calls to ensure individuals in crisis receive proper care.

Closing statements reflect divergent approaches

In their closing statements, Simonetti again leaned into her narrative of resilience, quoting Keith Ellison: “Cynics will never change the world. The people who change the world are the ones who keep trying and never give up.” She spoke of partnership and growth, painting herself as someone who could rise above adversity to lead Hennepin County.

“So we all have the opportunity to partner together in the community to preserve the American Dream of homeownership, bring more restorative justice to our community, and continue creating an ever-evolving, better vision of the future,” Simonetti said in her closing remarks. “This Nov. 5 election is about the vision that we all will create together. It’s about all of us – the we, not the me – and it’s about the future and legacy that we leave for those that we love.”

Edelson acknowledged Simonetti’s controversies indirectly during her closing remarks, reassuring the audience that “there are not two different versions of me,” subtly contrasting with Simonetti’s often-public personal life.

“That’s what you get with me,” she said. “You get somebody that turns out, that shows up, that sometimes will disagree with you – that is definitely something that I have done with people. But ultimately, we need government to have serious discussions and really figure out how we find solutions.”

After the forum, both candidates reflected on the evening.

Edelson said she felt “good” overall but admitted, “I get a little cranky. It gets a little annoying to me, and I feel it’s annoying for women in general. Anybody can run for office.” While she didn’t name Simonetti directly, her remarks echoed earlier criticisms, suggesting that her opponent’s behavior undermined the serious work women are doing in leadership roles.

Simonetti said she was surprised by what she described as Edelson “making quite a few passive-aggressive comments,” which she felt were unhelpful. Still, she said the evening was productive and focused on the issues.

“It’s inviting and creates further conversation because no one person can know everything,” Simonetti said. “I’m on a journey, learning, evolving, and getting out into the community – this is just another step on that journey.”