House 49A DFL candidate Q&A: Kissy Coakley

Biography

Kissy Coakley has lived in Minnetonka for over 15 years and is a mother of three, with two children who graduated from Minnetonka High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Metropolitan State University. Coakley has advocated for criminal justice reform, focusing on rehabilitation and empowerment.

Her campaign priorities include affordable housing, education, community safety, mental health support, combating domestic violence and substance abuse, reproductive freedom, and climate change.

Coakley’s political career began in 2019 when she became the first African American woman elected to the Minnetonka City Council. Now in her second term, she has supported initiatives in criminal justice, mental health, affordable housing, generational wealth building, transportation, and climate change.

She says her efforts have led to the creation of a sustainability commission, a pathway to homeownership program, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission. She also founded Kissy’s Stay Put Services, a nonprofit aimed at supporting women in the justice system. Coakley emphasizes listening to her constituents and advocating for those whose voices are often overshadowed.

More information on Kissy Coakley and her candidacy can be found on her campaign website: votekissy.com.

Question 1

What inspired you to enter the race for the Minnesota State House, and what unique experiences or perspectives do you bring to the table?

Coakley: I am running to make history as the first African American woman elected to represent our district in the Legislature. I am currently serving my second term on the Minnetonka City Council. Rep. Laurie Pryor inspired me to enter this race. She was the only elected official who knocked on my door while I have been living in Minnetonka since 2008, which meant a lot to me. It is essential to me, as an elected official, that we listen to and include all our constituents, including our local businesses. As the first African American woman to serve as an elected official in this community and as a mother, I bring a unique lived perspective on affordable housing, mental health, criminal justice, education, climate, and economic security. These are not issues I talk about from someone else’s perspective; this is my perspective.

Question 2

What are the top three issues you believe the Minnesota State Legislature should address in the next session, and why?

Coakley:

1. Affordable Housing for All: If we can address this issue, we can start to address some of the other problems that come along with being unstable.
2. Mental Health and Criminal Justice: If we work on making sure our communities have the resources needed to address mental health issues, we can simultaneously address criminal justice issues.
3. Strong Public Education for All: I believe in ensuring all public schools have equitable access to funding so that teachers and students have the resources they need to continue building a strong education system for generations to come.

Question 3

How would you propose to make Minnesota’s tax system fairer and more equitable for all residents?

Coakley: I would make sure that the wealthiest Minnesotans pay their fair share of taxes based on income. I commit to ensuring corporations are taxed at a rate that supports the people working for them. In addition, I support continued tax credits for parents and caregivers of children and vulnerable people. 

Question 4

What measures do you support to improve the quality and funding of public education in our state?

Coakley: We must ensure that public schools in our state receive adequate and equitable funding. This can help address disparities in educational resources, facilities, and extracurricular programs and implement scholarship programs for underprivileged students to help them pursue higher education. I support the development and implementation of a curriculum that reflects diverse perspectives and histories, promoting inclusivity and understanding among students.

Question 5

What strategies would you advocate to control rising healthcare costs and improve access to medical services for Minnesotans?

Coakley: I would like to first identify and analyze what is causing the rising cost of healthcare, identify barriers to healthcare access, and finally identify stakeholders for comprehensive input. We need to invest in single-payer healthcare and strong public healthcare systems to provide equitable mental and physical healthcare to all Minnesotans, regardless of socioeconomic status and zip code. 

Question 6

Given the importance of local party endorsements, how do you view their role in this race, and what is your response to the endorsement outcomes in this primary?

Coakley: I have worked in the community with many DFL organizers and volunteers over the past decade and deeply respect their work and role in local politics. At the same time, I know that a handful of people determine party endorsements and don’t necessarily reflect the larger base of support a candidate has in the community. As the only candidate in this race who has served as an elected official, I am committed to continuing to work for and serve our community.