Phillipe Cunningham

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Phillipe Cunningham

Nonpartisan

Prior offices

Minneapolis City Council Ward 4

Successor: LaTrisha Vetaw

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Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 2, 2021

Education

Bachelor's

DePaul University

Graduate

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Personal

Profession

Senior policy aide

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Personal LinkedIn

Phillipe Cunningham was a member of the Minneapolis City Council in Minnesota, representing Ward 4. Cunningham assumed office on January 2, 2018. Cunningham left office on January 3, 2022.

Cunningham (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Minneapolis City Council to represent Ward 4 in Minnesota. Cunningham lost in the general election on November 2, 2021.

Elections in Minneapolis are officially nonpartisan, but the Minneapolis City Charter allows mayoral and city council candidates to choose a party label to appear below their name on the official ballot. Ballotpedia includes candidates' party or principle to best reflect what voters will see on their ballot.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

At the time of his 2017 run for city council, Cunningham was a senior policy aide and advisor for education, youth success, racial equity, and LGBTQ rights for the Office of the Mayor. His experience also includes work as a youth organizer and public policy fellow for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation and a special education teacher for the Chicago Public Schools. Cunningham has been affiliated with the City of Minneapolis' Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee, the McKinley Community Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Minneapolis Trans Issues Work Group.

Elections

2021

See also: City elections in Minneapolis, Minnesota (2021)

General election

General election for Minneapolis City Council Ward 4

The ranked-choice voting election was won by LaTrisha Vetaw in round 1 .

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		LaTrisha Vetaw	60.6	4,391	0	Won (1)
		Phillipe Cunningham	30.3	2,196	0	1
		Leslie Davis	8.8	635	0	1
		Undeclared Write-insUndeclared write-in candidates may advance past the first round in some ranked-choice elections. If the official source reports write-in votes by candidate name, Ballotpedia displays them alongside the ballot-qualified candidates. However, if write-in votes are reported without a name, they will instead be included in the total write-in votes figure in Round 1. Please consult the official elections source for more details about unnamed write-in candidate vote totals past Round 1.	0.3	20	0

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,242
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

2017

See also: Municipal elections in Minneapolis, Minnesota (2017) and Mayoral election in Minneapolis, Minnesota (2017)

Minneapolis, Minnesota, held a general election for mayor, all 13 seats on the city council, both elected members of the board of estimate and taxation, and all nine members of the park and recreation board on November 7, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was August 15, 2017.

Incumbents ran for re-election to all but two of the city council seats. Ward 3 Councilman Jacob Frey filed to run for mayor instead, and Ward 8 Councilwoman Elizabeth Glidden opted not to run for re-election.

Minneapolis City Council Ward 4, 2017, Round 2
Candidate	Vote %	Votes	Transfer
Barbara Johnson (i)	48.3%	2,430	172
Phillipe Cunningham - Winner	51.7%	2,605	465
Stephanie Gasca - Eliminated	0%	0	−634
Dana Hansen - Eliminated	0%	0	−220
Undeclared Write-ins - Eliminated	0%	0	−11
Exhausted		228	228
Total Votes		5,263	0
Note: Negative numbers in the transfer total are due to exhaustion by overvotes.

Legend:     Eliminated in current round     Most votes     Lost

This is the first round of voting. To view subsequent rounds, click the [show] button next to that round.

Minneapolis City Council Ward 4, 2017, Round 1
Candidate	Vote %	Votes	Transfer
Barbara Johnson (i) - Most votes	42.9%	2,258
Phillipe Cunningham	40.7%	2,140
Stephanie Gasca	12%	634
Dana Hansen	4.2%	220
Undeclared Write-ins	0.2%	11
Exhausted		0	0
Total Votes		5,263	0
Note: Negative numbers in the transfer total are due to exhaustion by overvotes.

Endorsements

Cunningham received endorsements from the following in 2017:

• DFL Environmental Caucus
• Minnesota LGBTQ Legislative Caucus
• Minnesota Young DFL
• National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund
• OutFront Minnesota Action
• Sierra Club
• Stonewall DFL
• Trans United
• Victory Fund
• Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar

Campaign themes

2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Phillipe Cunningham did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

• Click here to view an archived version of Cunningham's campaign website.

2017

Cunningham's campaign website highlighted the following issues. Click "show" on the boxes below to read more about his positions.

SMALL BUSINESS

"Small businesses are the heart of a local economy. This is what makes the stark lack of small businesses in the 4th Ward so troubling. We know small business owners create jobs and are likely to hire from the neighborhood. Despite this, many storefronts sit empty and commercial buildings dilapidated. In a community that has seen a sharp decrease in household income over the 20 year tenure of the 4th Ward incumbent, this blight adds insult to injury to a community where jobs are desperately needed. It’s a no-brainer: investments in small businesses can launch a virtuous cycle. Despite this, the long-time 4th Ward incumbent put a year-long moratorium on new businesses in 2007 without speaking to the community or small business owners. No actionable steps were taken as a result of the study; only stunting economic growth in the area. This is just one of many examples of how the 4th Ward incumbent is bad for small businesses and the local economy of the 4th Ward. Speaking to many small business owners, I have heard time and time again they feel unheard in City Hall. This will no longer be the case with me as a City Councilmember. Small business owners will have an ally and champion in me. As the City Councilmember for the 4th Ward, I will be a champion for entrepreneurs and growing the number of Northsider-owned small businesses in the 4th Ward by: Building thriving commercial corridors and intersections. Collaborating with public, private, and nonprofit partners to participate in a small business ecosystem that supports Northside entrepreneurs at all stages of a business’s lifecycle. Growing the City of Minneapolis’ Small Business Team to a Small Business Office. Developing more affordable retail, office, and industrial spaces for small businesses with emphasis on Northsider-ownership through cooperative business models and commercial land trusts. Connecting more small business owners to vendor contracts with the City of Minneapolis by including veteran and LGBT businesses in opportunities available to minority businesses - bringing the City up to current state standards. Generating more money for Northside business owners to improve their storefronts by growing the Great Streets program."

HOUSING

"Housing is a basic human right. Everyone needs and deserves a safe place they can afford to call home. Minneapolis is experiencing a population boom and 30,000 more people are expected to move here before the end of the decade. With Minneapolis currently facing a less than 2% vacancy rate, it’s not a matter of if, but when we will run out of places to live. As the housing supply dwindles and rent prices increase, people have already begun moving to North Minneapolis because of affordability relative to the region... But what does this mean for those who already call the Northside home and can’t afford it? For the sake of the future of North Minneapolis, we need courageous leaders in City Hall now more than ever who are going to act with urgency addressing this housing crisis while also stabilizing Northsiders, particularly through increasing ownership opportunities. While serving our community, I will never forget that so many Northside families are one rent hike or eviction notice away from homelessness. As the City Councilmember for the 4th Ward, I will champion and grow housing for ALL residents in the 4th Ward by: Increasing housing stability and pathways to homeownership to create individual and family wealth. Developing density along commercial corridors to create more available residential and commercial spaces. Rehabilitating naturally occurring affordable housing. Ex: by investing in the rehabilitation of existing single-family homes and multiunit apartment buildings that are vacant, but need work to be brought up to code. Working in partnership with local organizations to build a Northside Renters Union to build collective voice and increase renters’ access to needed resources and opportunities. Expanding the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Defining 'affordable housing' at the neighborhood level. The average household income in the 4th Ward is almost $13,000 lower than the average income across the whole city. Despite this, 'affordable housing' means is currently defined the same for everyone."

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

"Building community wealth is more than just more money in people’s pockets (although that does help, too). We cannot call ourselves a prosperous community if the air we breathe and the environment around us continues to make us sick. It is unacceptable that North Minneapolis has the highest concentration of asthma and lead poisoning. Decision-makers have put the health of people of color and low income workers at risk by allowing North Minneapolis to be the dumping grounds for the rest of the city. This is extremely unjust. I will be a different kind of leader. I will bring to the center of the conversation the experiences of communities like ours in North Minneapolis who have been forced to bear the brunt of environmental racism. I will fight for direct investments in improving the health and life experience of Northsiders who have been negatively impacted. We must move towards long-term sustainability through 100% renewable electricity and energy. I support creating a new dedicated funding source for investing in clean energy and energy efficiency, starting with those who need the most assistance: low income people, renters, and small businesses. The roadmaps are there: the Climate Action Plan, the City’s adopted Energy Vision, and work that was led by City staff and Siemens on the City Performance Tool. That last initiative shows that our 80% goal is achievable, but only if the City takes aggressive action to transform the way we heat and cool buildings, reach 100% renewable energy throughout our city, electrify transportation and move more trips from cars to transit, walking and biking. The current Ward 4 Council Member has not led on any of these issues and has actively opposed some of them. She was one of only two votes against a resolution divesting City’s funds from fossil fuel industries, in addition to the steps she took to undermine the Clean Energy Partnership. We rely on the environment for our survival and I believe it deserves the protections of personhood. We must protect both it and the community. As the Councilmember for the 4th Ward, I will be a champion for environmental justice by: Incorporating long-term environmental sustainability into decision-making as our city grows Working with City Departments to get out into the community to engage Northsiders in efforts to reduce our waste stream Collaborating with Minnesota Commerce Department to increase the amount of weatherized single-family homes Increase the Northside’s biodiversity and wildlife habitats in partnership with Minneapolis Parks Decreasing pollution through increasing community gardens and green spaces to lower rainwater runoff that pollutes the Mississippi River."

COMMUNITY HEALTH

"In order for the 4th Ward to thrive, we must be healthy. Although the City of Minneapolis doesn’t have oversight over our local healthcare systems, there are lots of ways it plays a critical role in improving public health ranging from sexual health to road redevelopment. The Northside currently lacks a champion for our community’s health. As a Councilmember, I will reach out to collaborate with North Memorial, Fremont Clinic, other health organizations to increase awareness of and access to physical and mental health services. I will fight to bring innovative opportunities like Next Step to our community. Through this collaboration, the City can bring its public health work to the table to grow resources and opportunities throughout the 4th Ward. As the Councilmember for the 4th Ward, I will be a champion for improving our community’s overall health by: Collaborating with healthcare providers in the community to spread awareness of their work and identify and support gaps in service. Promoting walking and biking by advocating for street development projects that follow the Complete Streets policy. Improving access to fresh food. Addressing trauma experienced by adults and young people in our community. Decreasing water pollution through increasing community gardens and green spaces to lower rainwater runoff that pollutes the Mississippi River."

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

"Children and young people embody our future. It is our responsibility as adults to make sure we are preparing them to thrive in our rapidly changing world and global economy. For us to become the village we want to see, we have to create a community culture that nurtures and celebrates Northside young people as they grow up and mature. As the City Councilmember for the 4th Ward, I will be a tireless advocate for Northside youth. My experience as a youth worker and youth policy advocate in City Hall* has prepared me to step up even more for youth in my new role as a Councilmember. Youth can count on me as an ally and champion. North Minneapolis has one of the highest concentration of young people in the city. Building on existing relationships, I will work with Minneapolis Public Schools and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board to build a youth-friendly 4th Ward. A champion for positive youth development: Development of safe youth spaces north of Lowry for easier access to 4th Ward youth Increase opportunities for age-appropriate job experience and career pathways Expand opportunities for Northside youth to learn and explore through a wide range of extracurricular opportunities and hands-on learning Youth leadership and civic engagement opportunities Grow and champion youth violence prevention efforts"

SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS

"No matter where I am at or who I am talking to, concerns about violence in our community are echoed across Northsiders. Folks want to feel safe at home and with their children out playing in the community. Currently, we are being governed from the view that 'more cops = safer neighborhoods,' but history, research, and our current reality just don’t back that up. What has been shown to work? A public health approach, which focuses on addressing the underlying causes of violence, as well as immediate safety needs. The City of Minneapolis has been doing some groundbreaking public health work in approaching violence and crime, particularly its Youth Violence Prevention work. Unfortunately, right now it lacks a champion who champions, nurtures, and increases its impact on the Northside. As an experienced youth development professional, this will no longer be the case with me as City Councilmember. In my previous work at City Hall, I have already lead collaborations between the Health and CPED departments and nonprofit organizations to build this much needed work. Together, we developed a career pathway program for Northside young folks 18-24 years old without a diploma or GED, under- or unemployed, criminal records, etc. It is the first program of its kind at the City of Minneapolis. But there is still so much work to be done... North Minneapolis has a concentration of folks with criminal records. When folks return to our community after being incarcerated, they are left by the criminal justice system to figure out how to survive in a world that allows for felons to be discriminated against in housing and employment. Unfortunately, both of these are necessities to getting someone back on their feet and out of a life of crime for good. Right now, there is little to no work happening at the City around re-entry work. We need the City to step up and collaborate with local organizations doing this work well in the community. We need the City to close the gaps that are causing people to fall between the cracks and back into the criminal justice system. I will lead the City to do better in this work. Additionally, community members have made it clear there has been a breakdown of trust and accountability of MPD officers. These have to be addressed if we are going to be all-in to build and sustain a safer community. As the City Councilmember for the 4th Ward, I will approach building safer neighborhoods by: Championing and nurturing City investments in collaborative public safety strategies that are community-oriented, research based, and get to the roots of violence and crime. Promoting youth violence prevention efforts throughout the 4th Ward. Fighting for transparency in the Minneapolis Police Federation/City of Minneapolis contract negotiations. Decreasing survival crimes by improving the economic conditions of the area."

COMMUNITY VOICE

"A City Councilmember is - first and foremost - a representative of the community who elected them. Without a Councilmember actively out in the community and talking to people from all walks of life, most Northsiders are without true representation in City Hall. As the City Councilmember for the 4th Ward, it will always remain a priority to make sure my community knows someone is not only fighting for them, but listening to them, as well. Not just against things, but for opportunities to move our community forward. As the Councilmember for the 4th Ward, it will be my responsibility to build a bridge between City Hall and the Northside and begin building transparency and trust by co-creating new systems that better serve the diverse needs of our community. We are in this together. I will serve as an accessible and engaged Councilmember for the 4th Ward. As Councilmember, I will be a champion for the 4th Ward and empower the community’s voice in City Hall by: Collaborating with the community for a visioning process for neighborhoods to come together and define their shared vision. These small area plans will serve as my blueprint as City Councilmember. They will also inform how I, as the 4th Ward’s representative, will remain accountable to the community. Removing barriers and creating systems for the flow of information from City Hall to Northsiders and feedback from Northsiders to City Hall. Holding regular office hours based in the community, not City Hall. Conducting regular community input sessions and learning forums in order to keep Northsiders informed with what is happening and are empowered in the process. Working in partnership with neighborhood associations to more effectively engage diverse residents and connect opportunities and resources where they are needed most. Launching an annual State of the 4th Ward event to present the community’s progress, where the challenges are, feedback, and next steps to increase transparency in the big picture vision. Additionally, it is a public space to hold myself accountable to the community."

TOGETHER 4 WARD

"When a community like North Minneapolis suffers from lack of investment for generations, we are robbed of our community fabric and identity. Also, we all know the Northside’s bad reputation precedes it for most. Nearly every Northsider has experienced the negative reaction people have when we tell them where we live, but we know better. This community is full of good people who deserve to be invested in and celebrated just like anywhere else in the city. The 4th Ward is the most diverse ward in Minneapolis. Let’s celebrate that to the fullest together! Right now, we have the opportunity to rediscover our shared vision, future, and humanity and weave our community fabric in ways that break from history. Together, we can change the narrative of the Northside and build a village who looks out for and cares for each other. As the City Councilmember for the 4th Ward, I will launch Together 4 Ward to bring our community closer together by: Collaborating with the community for a visioning process for neighborhoods to come together and define their shared vision. These small area plans will serve as my blueprint as City Councilmember. They will also inform how I, as the 4th Ward’s representative, will remain accountable to the community. Establishing more 4th Ward traditions like community-wide events celebrating diverse cultural holidays and opportunities for intergenerational relationship building. Growing arts in our community and increasing arts programming by collaborating with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, nonprofit organizations, and Northside artists. Establishing more public green spaces through community gardens and developing certified wildlife habitats in collaboration with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board and local nonprofits. These green spaces improve the overall environmental health of our community. They also help to increase public safety, beautify the neighborhoods, reduce water pollution, and improve mental health. Creating more shared public gathering spaces by developing more Northsider-owned small businesses like restaurants and cafes in the ward. It’s time to have places to bring our friends who don’t live here to see for themselves how great the people of the Northside."

See also

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Political offices
Preceded by -	Minneapolis City Council Ward 4 2018-2022	Succeeded by LaTrisha Vetaw