Q&A with Rep. Cedrick Frazier, labor lawyer who replaced longest serving legislator in state history

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Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, grew up in a low-income neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, where gun violence and drug trafficking were a frequent presence near his home. At the University of Minnesota Morris, he founded and was president of the only collegiate NAACP chapter in Minnesota. After law school, he became a Hennepin County public defender. 

Frazier would turn to education, first as director of equity and diversity for the Minneapolis Public School District before joining the legal team of the district and later the state teachers union, Education Minnesota. He filled a vacancy on the New Hope City Council and then was was elected in 2020 to fill the 45A district vacated by Rep. Lyndon Carlson, the longest serving lawmaker in Minnesota history.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity. 

Being the only divided Legislature in the country, how do you plan to reach across the aisle in order to pass legislation?

As a new legislator, I’ve been intentional about reaching out to my colleagues on the other side. I think we have to get past our differences, produce legislation and policy that is going to benefit everybody in Minnesota. That is needed, even more so now. I am really intentional about reaching out and trying to find common ground for residents and our community. Continue reading.

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: March 15, 2021


Dear Neighbors,

It’s an honor to serve our community at the State Capitol. The legislative session began January 5th. I’d like your feedback on the issues that we are discussing this year.

As your Representative, I am committed to ensuring that the State of Minnesota supports all residents as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19. I am focused on policies that will increase access to affordable health care, ensure public safety, work for quality education, expand protections for workers, and create targeted job training and workforce development to ensure economic opportunity and security for all.

If you’d like, please complete and return this survey. Feel free to get in touch with me anytime. I appreciate hearing from you!

Continue reading “Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: March 15, 2021”

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: March 12, 2021


Dear Neighbors, 

On March 20th at 11 A.M. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg to address legislative issues important to our district. I hope you are available to join us on Zoom.

You can RSVP to join on the Zoom call and submit your questions prior to the event on the following google form, or simply watch the live-broadcast of the event my Facebook page.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Continue reading “Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: March 12, 2021”

Rep. Cedrick R. Frazier (HD45A) Update: March 5, 2021

Dear Neighbors, 

On March 20th at 11 A.M. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg to address legislative issues important to our district. I hope you are available to virtually join us.

You can RSVP to join on the Zoom call and submit your questions prior to the event on the following google form, or simply watch the live-broadcast of the event on my Facebook page.

RSVP link: https://forms.gle/Y1jfD8skn6ii4xws7

Continue reading “Rep. Cedrick R. Frazier (HD45A) Update: March 5, 2021”

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: February 22, 2021

Dear Neighbors, 

According to data reported as of February 19th, the total vaccine doses administered in the state of Minnesota is 1,095,934. The speed of vaccination is picking up to approximately 100,000 people each week, and there have been a series of online tools that make it easier for eligible individuals to schedule appointments and access the latest news on COVID-19 information.

People Immunized in MN Image

The COVID-19 Vaccine Connector Tool 

Minnesota has just launched a new tool to make reliable vaccine updates and COVID-19 related information reach you faster.  The COVID-19 Vaccine Connectorwill help Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

When you become eligible, the Vaccine Connector will:

Continue reading “Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: February 22, 2021”

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: February 10, 2021

Happy Black History Month!

Last week I introduced H.F. 593, to The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee which calls on the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to revise the standards of conduct for peace officers (under Minnesota Statutes, section 626.843, subdivision 1, clause (6)), to prohibit officers from affiliating with, supporting, or advocating for white supremacist groups, causes, or ideologies.

The bill passed the committee 11-7. 

7 nays…

You can watch the hearing here starting at 40:23.

Continue reading “Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: February 10, 2021”

Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: January 26, 2021

Dear Neighbors

Last week was a historical week for our nation with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman, and woman of color, to take high office in the history of the United States. While we celebrate, it is important that we remind ourselves of the work yet to be done about racial justice, COVID-19 response, and economic recovery. 

This week, I want to inform you about some of the steps being taken to better Minnesota by protecting our workers, strengthening democracy, addressing criminal justice and supporting our students. Mark your calendars to join me in the conversation!


Democracy in Crisis: Sunday, January 31, 2021

Join me and Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee, award-winning political scientist and author Dr. Lee Drutman, and U.S. Representative Angie Craig, a leading advocate of government reform and cosponsor of H.R. 1, for a conversation about how we can reform and strengthen our democracy, hosted by FairVote Minnesota. 

Continue reading “Rep. Cedrick Frazier (HD45A) Update: January 26, 2021”