Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Tuesday accused City Council Member Robin Wonsley of lying when she told a media outlet that Frey has threatened to withhold city services like police and garbage collection as a means of political retaliation.
"This is a lie," Frey said in an email to Wonsley that he copied to all 12 other council members. "Insinuating that I or my staff have ever said — or done this — is a lie. Our residents rely on the critical city services we provide and should never, under any circumstance, be used as pawns in a political game. Intentionally creating and spreading misinformation of this magnitude is beneath the office you hold."
In an interview with Unicorn Riot recorded on video and posted online Monday, Wonsley leveled the accusations against Frey, but did not provide specific examples or evidence. In a Tuesday text to the Star Tribune, she said she was dealing with a family emergency and unable to immediately respond.
This is hardly the first friction between Frey and Wonsley, who are rivals on some of the city's most contentious issues, but it's rare to see a public blowup with such a spirited response from Frey. He's generally aligned with the majority of council members, who see themselves as supporting a progressive agenda — but not one as far left as Wonsley.
Wonsley is allied with a group of council members whose goals, which include strict rent control and limits on police funding, have been blocked by Frey and the majority.
All council seats are on the ballot in this fall's election, with the Frey-friendly majority potentially in the balance. Wonsley, who is running for re-election, is supporting several candidates who could, if they win, swing the majority of the council, including Soren Stevenson, who is challenging Council President Andrea Jenkins, a Frey ally.
The Star Tribune asked the rest of the council members if they are aware of any incidents fitting Wonsley's description. As of Tuesday afternoon, none who responded said they had. Seven responded that they had "never" heard of anything like that.
"Never," texted Council Member Andrew Johnson, who sometimes functions as a swing vote on the council. "And any suggesting that he [Frey] would do that has zero credibility in my opinion." Council Member Michael Rainville said "it's embarrassing to serve with someone who does not tell the truth."