Mary Moriarty Announces 2026 Exit from Hennepin County Prosecution

Mary Moriarty Announces Decision Not to Seek Re-election

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has made a significant announcement, stating that she will not be running for re-election next year. This decision marks the end of an era for the office, as Moriarty has been a prominent figure in shaping the county's approach to criminal justice. Instead of focusing on a campaign, she has chosen to dedicate her remaining time in office to making lasting changes within the system.

Moriarty emphasized her commitment to delivering results rather than seeking political power. "We've become accustomed to elected officials who don't deliver results and end up more invested in clinging to power than doing the work of the people. That is not me," she said. She explained that the choice between campaigning and continuing her reform efforts was clear. "I want to focus on running the office, rather than running for office."

During her tenure, Moriarty has implemented several initiatives aimed at addressing systemic issues. One of her most notable contributions was the establishment of the Conviction Integrity Unit, which reviews past cases for errors and unjustified convictions. This unit played a key role in supporting the exoneration of two men wrongfully convicted of murder: Marvin Haynes and Edgar Barrientos-Quintana.

In addition, Moriarty's office began accepting applications for expungement in youth criminal offense cases at the start of the year. This initiative allows individuals under the age of 18 to apply for expungement at no cost through the Help Seal My Record portal, offering a second chance to young people who have made mistakes.

Despite these positive developments, Moriarty’s time in office has not been without controversy. Early in her term, she faced criticism for offering a controversial plea deal to a 15-year-old accused of killing Zaria McKeever in 2022. The decision drew backlash from the victim’s family, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, the state's largest police association, and some community leaders. In response, Gov. Tim Walz became the first governor in decades to reassign a case from a county attorney when he transferred the murder case from Moriarty to Ellison.

Another point of contention involved the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, which filed a formal complaint against Moriarty. The complaint alleged that she acted unethically in prosecuting a state trooper who shot and killed a driver during a traffic stop. Her office charged Ryan Londregan with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree manslaughter in January 2023. However, the charges were dropped in June 2023 after Moriarty's office learned new information about Londregan's planned testimony and state patrol training that would make it impossible to prove the case against him.

In May, the U.S. Department of Justice announced its intent to open a racial discrimination investigation into the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. The investigation focuses on a new policy that considers an individual's race when making plea deals. The policy change was announced by Moriarty's office via memo at the end of April. In the memo, the office stated that "proposed resolutions should consider the person charged as a whole person, including their racial identity and age." A spokesperson for the office said they are trying to address longstanding racial disparities.

Moriarty was elected as Hennepin County attorney in a 16-point margin landslide in 2022. Before that, she served as the county's chief public defender. Her campaign promised transparency and criminal justice reforms aimed at reducing racial disparities within the system. As she steps down, her legacy will be defined by both her achievements and the controversies that marked her time in office.