Get to Know Garrison

Your Neighbor, Your Advocate, Your Commissioner

Garrison McMurtrey was elected as the Ramsey County Commissioner for District 3 in February 2025. Making history as the first Black man ever elected to a county board in Minnesota, he represents Falcon Heights and several Saint Paul neighborhoods, including St. Anthony Park, Como Park, Hamline-Midway, North End/ South Como, Payne-Phalen and Frogtown.

Garrison currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and Chair of the Intergenerational Wealth and Economic Justice Service Team Committee, where he focuses on centering economic justice and expanding affordable housing for future generations.

Prior to his election, Garrison served as the District Director for the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Angie Craig. His extensive experience in both the public and private sectors includes working on the Public Affairs team at Target Corporation and serving as an Outreach Director for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, where he led community engagement in the areas of business, workforce development, communities of color, and consumer protection.

A deeply involved community leader, Garrison has previously served as Chair of the Saint Paul DFL and as a Commissioner on the Saint Paul Planning Commission. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Communication from Ripon College and an M.A. in Public Policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Garrison lives in Saint Paul with his wife, State Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten,their son Leo, and goldendoodle, Honey.