Four years ago it wasn't a major concern, but today it's right up there along with the economy and abortion.
Two years after unrest following the death of George Floyd and statistics that show rising crime, Minnesotans want to feel safer in their own hometowns.
"Candidates are talking about it in suburban races, and in Greater Minnesota it comes up quite frequently," said WCCO radio political analyst Blois Olson, who calls it an emerging issue.
"It hasn't been an issue like this since the mid-90's," he said.
And as we've seen, Republicans and Democrats have stark differences in how to approach the public safety issue.
But Minnesotans also have differing views on public safety, which shows that it's a big problem for those living in large cities as well as rural parts of the state.
"It just depends on your part of life, how you feel about public safety," Olson said. "That's what makes it a tough issue to decide whether or not it's going to be the deciding factor, or just an issue in this election."
The sea change in Minnesota happened two years ago.
"Minneapolis is ground zero for the discussion about how policing should happen in the future," Olson said. "That discussion never came to a conclusion, because you had the referendum, you had the defund folks, but you still have high crime rates and low police officer numbers. That's how it stays an issue."
Olson points out the continuing discussion about public safety has been balanced out with talk of racial equity, and justice for people of color.
But he also says what it all comes down to for statewide and local candidates is if they ensure that their constituents feel safe where they live.