Mary Moriarty Ends Hennepin County Attorney Run

A New Chapter for Hennepin County Attorney

Mary Moriarty has decided not to seek a second term as Hennepin County attorney, marking the end of a tenure defined by reform-minded policies and contentious charging decisions. This unexpected move sets a new deadline for her time in office, which has been characterized by a strong commitment to criminal justice reform and public safety.

In an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, Moriarty expressed her desire to focus on the work she has started rather than campaign for re-election. She believes that the results of her efforts should be seen as effective tools for improving public safety and criminal justice reform, something she feels is more likely if she isn’t the center of media attention.

“When I thought about how I wanted to spend my last year-and-a-half in office and my choices were campaigning — which would be a lot of being away from the office — and actually doing the work … I decided that doing the work was what I would rather do.”

Moriarty’s decision has created uncertainty in the upcoming election for county attorney, an office that has traditionally been held for long periods. Her predecessor, Mike Freeman, served for 24 years, while current U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar held the position for eight years. Prior to Freeman, Tom Johnson served for 12 years.

Impact of Reform Policies

Moriarty has implemented several policies aimed at addressing youth gang violence and juvenile car theft through intervention programs. She has also focused on more holistic considerations in charging decisions and diversion programs. These efforts have shown measurable impacts on public safety, according to Moriarty.

However, she feels that these initiatives have often been overshadowed by media coverage of individual charging decisions. Moriarty believes that conveying how her office works to keep the community safer will be more effective if she steps aside.

“The stories that generally come out are not what the office is doing, or why,” Moriarty said. “It’s been, ‘I’m controversial and I’m doing this thing.’ I think it has been a real disservice to our community and to our office.”

Background and Campaign

Moriarty announced her candidacy in 2021 as a reform candidate following Freeman’s retirement. She spent 31 years as a public defender, rising to chief public defender in Hennepin County before being declined reappointment in 2020 due to controversies, including a suspension. She campaigned during the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, focusing on rebuilding trust between the County Attorney’s Office and community members.

She easily defeated former prosecutor and Hennepin County Judge Martha Holton Dimick to become the first openly gay woman to oversee the state’s largest public law office.

Confidence in Future Leadership

When asked if her decision to leave could undermine the structural and data-driven changes she has implemented, Moriarty expressed confidence that Hennepin County wants progressive leadership around criminal justice and public safety. She believes another progressive candidate will resonate with voters and continue the office’s direction.

“When I campaigned there were all kinds of attacks on me, but I won by 16 points,” Moriarty said. “That was because I talked about a new way of doing things in the system that were actually more equitable, they were more trauma informed, they were more about what actually keeps us safe.”

Institutional Changes and Data-Driven Approach

Moriarty has emphasized data and research in her approach, leading her office to consider factors such as juvenile brain development, recidivism rates, and the benefits of diversion programs versus incarceration. She has also made institutional changes, including reorganizing divisions and implementing data tools to drive prosecutorial decision-making.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite her efforts, Moriarty has faced criticism over various charging decisions, including plea deals for teenagers involved in the killing of Zaria McKeever and charges against a state trooper for shooting a man. The latter charges were later dropped at the recommendation of outside counsel.

The United States Justice Department launched a pattern and practice investigation into her office for suspected civil rights violations after she announced a policy asking prosecutors to consider racial identity in key decisions.

Critics include both Republicans and Democrats, and she has been grouped with other progressive district or county attorneys across the country.

Personal Reflections

Moriarty described herself as one of the most stubborn people and stated that her decision to leave was based on her own thoughts and conversations with trusted individuals. She acknowledged the personal impact of the criticism she has received.

“The things that people feel free to say and write, yeah, that’s hurtful,” Moriarty said. “But they have never been able to talk [about] or criticize our data points at all.”

Media and Public Perception

Moriarty highlighted the difference between media focus and meaningful work, using the case of a state employee who keyed Teslas as an example. She noted that communities care more about issues like gun violence than minor crimes.

“I am proud of being able to say after two-and-a-half years, and I’m sure after four years, none of the decisions I signed off on or I made were impacted by what people would say politically or how it would impact me politically or what would be safest,” Moriarty said.

Moving Forward

Moriarty will remain in charge of the Attorney’s Office until Jan. 4, 2027, with several policy initiatives in development. She is unsure of her next steps, expressing interest in teaching and hosting a podcast called “We Don’t Have to Choose,” where she discusses legal system improvements without compromising public safety.

She acknowledges that it is rare for a reform-minded candidate to reach such a powerful office, and letting go will come with tradeoffs. However, she remains hopeful that the work will continue and is excited about the future.