Lawmaker stopped for no license plate claims he was profiled

ST. PAUL, Minn. – An outspoken Minnesota lawmaker who was ticketed for a driver’s license violation is alleging he was racially profiled.

The citation says State Rep. John Thompson of St. Paul, who is Black, presented a Wisconsin license during a traffic stop in St. Paul Sunday.

A Department of Public Safety spokesman told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Thompson’s driving privileges had been suspended because of a child support issue that has now been resolved. Thompson has never held a Minnesota license. Police deny he was racially profiled.

A police spokesman says Thompson was stopped because he didn’t have a front license plate, but was cited only for driving after suspension.