Draft:James McCaskel

James McCaskel (born October 2, 1997) is an American Black Lives Matter community organizer, cannabis rights activist, landscaper, and led protests in Minneapolis held during the trial of Derek Chauvin.

McCaskel was nominated in 2022 by Legal Marijuana Now Party for Minnesota Governor.

Political career
A leader during protests in Minnesota that were being held outside the Minneapolis Government Center during the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, McCaskel witnessed a fellow activist get killed when a driver plowed into protesters on Lake Street. McCaskel lamented afterward on behalf of the victim in the tragedy, saying “She’s white and I’m Black, and she’s out here for the protection of me.”

Endorsements
McCaskel ran for governor of Minnesota in 2022, endorsed by the Green Party, and the Minnesota Legal Marijuana Now Party.

Political views
According to Minnesota Public Radio, McCaskel is a staunch, vocal supporter of women's reproductive rights, and wrote favoring cannabis consumers rights in 2022, posting, "We can grow our economy even more by safely and responsibly legalizing marijuana." McCaskel supports improved funding for education programs and affordable housing.

Early life and education
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, McCaskel was adopted. A high school dropout who ran away from home at age 15, McCaskel later earned a GED and attended Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Career
McCaskel, a landscaper for Anderson Ladd, lives in Minneapolis, and serves as Youth Undoing Institutional Racism board member.

Political candidacy
McCaskel sought the Legal Marijuana Now Party endorsement for Minnesota Governor in the August 9, 2022, primary, and was nominated by 52% of Legal Marijuana Now voters. In the general election on November 8, McCaskel received 29,346 votes.