Ward 11 Councilmember Emily Koski announced she is exiting the 2025 mayoral race and is not seeking another term on the City Council.

Koski cited the city’s toxic political climate and the demands of campaigning, while balancing family and council duties.

“The toxicity in our city’s politics is real,” Koski said in her announcement Monday morning. “It punishes integrity, vilifies collaboration, and prioritizes power over people.”

Koski said she spent hours fundraising “just to stay afloat” and “worked tirelessly to reject lies spread by anonymous donors and political action committees” instead of talking to residents.

Koski said she felt the pressure to do more as a woman.

“I tried to balance it all,” Koski said, “Be a mom, build a great team, serve as a Council Member, raise a million dollars, show up for my kids, show up for every event, all while being a person driven by honesty and integrity.”

Koski was first elected to City Council in Ward 11 in November 2021. She announced her mayoral campaign in December 2024.

“I still believe this election is an opportunity for Minneapolis to move in a new direction,” Koski said.  “Look for the leaders that are bringing people together.”

Koski’s policy aide confirmed Monday that Koski will not seek a third term as Ward 11’s councilmember.

Koski attended the Budget Committee meeting as its vice chair on Monday afternoon and asked one question about the Minneapolis Police Department’s overtime budget.

Minneapolis Voices interviewed Koski about her run for mayor in March. Mayor Jacob Frey, Jazz Hampton, DeWayne Davis, Sen. Omar Fateh, and Brenda Short remain in the race.