Anders Folk
TLDR: Anders Folk is a former federal prosecutor who served as acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota in 2021. He grew up in Hopkins, earned his bachelor's and law degrees at the University of Minnesota, and worked in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office as a law student. He served in the Marine Corps as a military lawyer, then spent years as a federal prosecutor in Minnesota, and later was senior counsel to Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco. He has also worked in private law practice. The race is officially nonpartisan; Folk does not list a party endorsement.
Anders FolkNonpartisan- Running for
- Hennepin County Attorney
- Now
- Partner, Jones Day law firm (per Minnesota Lawyer)
- Work
- Attorney
- Lives in
- Minneapolis
- Background
- Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota (2021); left to join the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in Washington, D.C. kstp.com
- Served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney before becoming acting U.S. Attorney; earlier spent seven years in corporate law at Stinson Leonard Street spokesman-recorder.com
- Grew up in Hopkins; B.A. and law degree from the University of Minnesota; worked in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office during law school andersfolk.com
- U.S. Marine Corps officer and military lawyer, entering active duty after Sept. 11, 2001 andersfolk.com
- Senior counsel to Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco projects.sahanjournal.com
- Partner at Jones Day; former Hennepin County Attorney's Office attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney minnlawyer.com
- Board member, YMCA of the North, University of Minnesota Foundation and Veterans Defense Project andersfolk.com
- In office
- As acting U.S. Attorney (2021), signed the federal civil rights indictment of Derek Chauvin and oversaw the office during the prosecution in the 2017 bombing of Bloomington's Dar Al-Farooq mosque (as described by his campaign) andersfolk.com
- Website
- andersfolk.com
- [email protected]
- Raised
- $351,742 in 2026 (plus $55,695 in 2025), $137,393 on hand www16.co.hennepin.mn.us
- Interviews
- Sahan JournalHill & Lake Press
- Also running
- Cedrick Frazier (Nonpartisan)
Q: Where does Folk stand on violent crime and guns?
A: Would focus on violent and repeat offenders with "swift, fair and evidence-based charging" of homicide and gun crimes, a standing violent-crime review team and an anti-gun-trafficking task force.
andersfolk.comQ: Where does Folk stand on juvenile justice?
A: Calls for balancing "compassion with consequence on a case-by-case basis": diversion, job training and mentoring for first-time, non-violent youth, but consequences for "violent, repeat offenders, and particularly those who use firearms." Would revise juvenile charging policies in his first 100 days.
andersfolk.comQ: Where does Folk stand on police accountability?
A: Says "law enforcement and prosecutors working together" is key; promises transparency in reviewing officer-involved use-of-force cases, regular constitutional training, and that "lawful arrests lead to real consequences, not catch and release."
andersfolk.comQ: Where does Folk stand on federal immigration agents?
A: Would create a Federal Accountability Task Force to "investigate and prosecute violations of Minnesota law by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge."
andersfolk.comQ: Where does Folk stand on crime victims?
A: Would establish a Crime Victims' Bill of Rights in his first 100 days and convene victim advocacy groups on domestic and sexual violence.
andersfolk.comQ: Where does Folk stand on wage theft?
A: "I will partner with labor leaders to ensure prosecution of wage theft is a priority"; proposes a wage theft and labor trafficking working group.
spokesman-recorder.comQ: Where does Folk stand on direction of the office?
A: "We need a change of direction at the Hennepin County Attorney's Office."
mprnews.orgQ: Where does Folk stand on non-violent offenders?
A: Supports "meaningful diversion options" for non-violent offenders rather than automatic criminal records; would embed prosecutors with police for "accurate and timely decisions about charging."
andersfolk.com
