FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2025
Contact: Parrish for Minnesota Campaign
Email: heidi@parrish4mn.com
Phone: (612) 460-1717
Website: Parrish4mn.com
Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026, Condemns Broken Ideologies of Mayor Frey and Governor Walz in Wake of Minneapolis Reckless Driving Incident
Minneapolis, MN – Phillip C. Parrish, a Naval Intelligence Officer, educator, and candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, today issued a strong rebuke of the soft-on-crime policies of Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz following a widely circulated video of reckless driving in Minneapolis. The video, which shows a white SUV nearly striking a police cruiser while the officer remained idle, has sparked outrage among residents and raised serious questions about public safety under the current leadership.
“Minnesotans, the reckless driving incident in Minneapolis this week is a glaring example of the broken ideologies perpetuated by Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz,” Parrish stated. “Their so-called ‘soft on crime’ policies, cloaked in the guise of reform, are failing the very people they claim to protect. As a candidate for Governor in 2026, I am outraged—but not surprised—by the inaction of law enforcement in the face of such blatant disregard for public safety.”
Parrish pointed to the 2021 reforms introduced by Frey and former Chief Arradondo, which banned pretextual traffic stops for minor violations, as a key factor in the hesitancy of officers to act. He also criticized Governor Walz’s Minnesota Police Accountability Act, arguing that it prioritizes optics over effective law enforcement. “These policies have created a chilling effect: officers are now hesitant to act, even when a driver nearly crashes into a police cruiser in broad daylight,” Parrish said. “Governor Walz’s executive actions claim to champion transparency and de-escalation, but they’ve left our communities vulnerable to those who exploit these lenient measures. This isn’t accountability—it’s abandonment.”
The candidate emphasized the real-world consequences of these policies for Minnesota residents. “The people of Minneapolis deserve better. They deserve leadership that protects the innocent, not policies that embolden the reckless,” Parrish continued. “Under Frey and Walz, violent crime and reckless behavior have been met with excuses, not solutions. Their public health lens on crime and focus on violence prevention programs are hollow when officers stand by as chaos unfolds on our streets. The hardworking taxpayers of Minnesota are footing the bill for a system that fails to deliver the safety they’ve been promised. This is not servant leadership—it’s a betrayal of trust.”
Parrish outlined his vision for restoring balance to Minnesota’s public safety system if elected Governor in 2026. “I will empower law enforcement to act decisively against those who threaten our communities while ensuring true accountability that rebuilds trust between police and the people they serve,” he pledged. “We cannot allow the misguided ideologies of Frey and Walz to continue harming the very Minnesotans they falsely claim to care about. It’s time for leadership that puts your safety first—leadership that protects the innocent and ends the fraud of empty promises. Together, we will make Minnesota a place where our streets are safe, our laws are enforced, and our communities thrive.”
Phillip C. Parrish, born in Blue Earth, Minnesota, is a Naval Intelligence Officer, former teacher, and principal who has dedicated his career to public service and education. He is running for Governor to bring servant leadership to Minnesota, focusing on protecting the innocent, ending fraud, and supporting the state’s core industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
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