In August 2018, Frazier was appointed to the New Hope City Council, replacing Erik Lammle, who moved out of New Hope. Before his appointment, Frazier served on the city's Planning Commission.[6] Frazier was sworn in on September 10, 2018, and became the first African American to serve on the New Hope City Council.[7]
While a member of the council, Frazier encouraged engagement and dialogue between the City's Human Rights Commission and police department on policing practices. He also proposed ordinances related to protecting tenants of affordable housing units.[8]
On January 1, 2021, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman appointed Frazier vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee.[10]
Frazier advocated for reform in Minnesota's public safety and criminal justice system.[11] Minnesota had recently seen notable cases where Black men, including George Floyd and Daunte Wright, were killed during encounters with law enforcement. Frazier was described as a key budget negotiator in the politically divided legislature as it passed a $52 billion state budget, averting a potential state government shutdown.[12] Minnesota Governor Tim Walz credited him with helping keep police reform front and center during the legislative session.[13]
On July 13, 2021, Hortman appointed Frazier to serve on a select panel to determine the distribution of $250 million included in the Minnesota state budget dedicated to frontline workers. The funding was made possible by one-time federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[14] Frazier was Chief Author of the Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act, the original legislation that aimed to provide emergency paid sick leave to employees excluded from federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.[15][16]
On September 1, 2021, HennepinCounty AttorneyMike Freeman announced that he would retire at the end of his term after 24 years in the role.[17] Frazier became widely seen as a potential candidate for the position.[18] But after expressing interest in it, Frazier announced that he had concluded that 2022 was not the right time for him to run for Hennepin County Attorney.[19][20] On December 6, 2021, Frazier endorsed former Hennepin County chief public defender Mary Moriarty for Hennepin County Attorney.[21]
On December 13, 2022, Frazier was elected co-chair of the Minnesota House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus along with Representative Esther Agbaje.[22]
