Brooklyn Center Mayor Not Seeking Re-Election: ‘It’s amazing…so many people stepping up.’

Brooklyn Center Mayor April Graves told CCX Media’s Dave Kiser more about her decision to not seek re-election after one term.

Brooklyn Center Mayor April Graves in the CCX Media studios in June 2026.

“After two terms on council and one term as mayor, twelve years on council, I just feel like it’s time for me to step back, let someone else take the lead and just refocus on my family and just my mental and physical health,” said Mayor Graves during her quarterly Mayor’s Minutes segment. “I want to continue to support the increase in business developments in our city and continue to work with staff to make sure we’re focusing on community development so what’s coming in is really beneficial to the residents that live in Brooklyn Center.”

Thirteen candidates have filed for the two open city council seats and the mayor’s seat.

“I think it’s amazing we’ve had so many people who have stepped up,” Graves said.

In her remaining time in office this year, Graves said she wants to focus on programs close to her heart.

I” also want to support programs that sometimes have been a little bit of a heavy lift in our city, like mental health 911 response, our alternative response, our expanded response teams, as well as programs at the community center,” she said.

Brooklyn Center

Mayor's Minutes