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Minneapolis

Mpls Council: Ward 5, and other stuff

by Dan Burns on May 20, 2013

minneapolisWard 5: Incumbent Don Samuels is running for mayor.
 

After five grueling hours of politicking in a north Minneapolis gymnasium, DFLers handed out no endorsement in the race to fill one of three open seats on the City Council.
 
Four candidates were vying for the party’s nod in the Fifth Ward, which covers the southern half of the city’s North Side. Attorney Ian Alexander came within less than a percentage point of the 60 percent threshold needed to win, but failed to pick up more momentum. Delegates voted to adjourn after the fifth ballot did not produce a winner…
 
All four candidates plan to continue in the race.
 
(Star Tribune)

The three not noted in the blockquote are Brett Buckner, Blong Yang, and Ken Foxworth. Ranked-choice voting was used; if that gets your attention, read the article for more.
 
…READ MORE

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Winter getting you down? Volunteer!

by The Big E on May 3, 2013

fu_winterIf you’re like me and have had it about up to here with winter, if this latest round of snow is getting you down, I know of one sure way to get yourself out of your funk: VOLUNTEER!

If you live in Minneapolis, it’s silly season already. There are several competitive City Council races and several seats are up for grabs. One dedicated volunteer can make a huge difference for a campaign. Also, there are a slew of candidates running to replace Mayor RT Rybak. Wash the winter blues away helping your favorite candidate win.

Minneapolis Mayoral candidates:

Jim Graves is challenging the embattled Michele Bachmann again. We’ve got a real chance this time. Her scandals make her vulnerable, but Graves needs your help to defeat her.

In 2012, Mike Obermueller did the best of any challenger has ever done against John Kline in MN-02. He’s running again in 2014. Obermueller needs your help to oust Kline.

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The Minneapolis Building Trades Proudly Endorse Mark Andrew for Minneapolis Mayor

by Mark Andrew For Minneapolis on April 14, 2013

From: David Ybarra – Minneapolis Building Trades Council President
 
The Minneapolis Building Trades represents over 25 local labor affiliates, which represents over 13,000 men and women union workers, and we are proud to announce we have voted unanimously to endorse Mark Andrew in his bid for mayor of Minneapolis!
 
We endorsed Mark because he has what it takes to lead all of Minneapolis. The reasons we endorsed Mark are numerous, but our decision was cemented by our belief that Mark is a bold, innovative leader who has a plan for jobs and economic development for Minneapolis. Mark has a proven track record of making big ideas reality.
 
Mark Andrew is a bridge-builder–literally and figuratively. He had the vision for the Hennepin Avenue Bridge and the Stone Arch Bridge – both icons of our community. Mark’s leadership also led to the creation of Midtown Greenway, which has spurred hundreds of millions of dollars of development along its’ path. He was also the catalyst in making Target Field the greenest ballpark in the world.
 
The Building Trades embrace Mark’s vision for economic development and to make Minneapolis the greenest city in North America–not only because it’s the right thing to do from a moral and environmental standpoint, but it also ensures our prosperity by increasing the tax base, creating sustainable-living wage jobs and improving social and economic conditions for all of Minneapolis.
 
Mark knows that jobs will build our tax base and population, which will allow Minneapolis to grow into the city we all envision. He is the candidate that is making jobs and economic development the foundation of his campaign. Please join the Building Trades membership in making this vision a reality–caucus for Mark Andrew on Tuesday, April 16th!
 

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Second Minneapolis Mayoral Debate

by The Big E on April 3, 2013

home-cityhallThe candidates who want to be the next Mayor of Minneapolis will meet at Solomon’s Porch tonight. The debate kicks off at 6:30PM and is scheduled to run until 8:00PM. The candidates that I am aware of that will be attending are:
 

  • Mark Andrews
  • Jackie Cherryhomes
  • Betsy Hodges
  • Don Samuels
  • Gary Schiff
  • Jim Thomas
  • Cam Winton

All but Thomas and Winton are vying for the DFL endorsement. Winton is a Republican. Thomas is an independent.
 

Watch live streaming video from theuptake2 at livestream.com

 

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Minneapolis Mayor: Cherryhomes to launch candidacy

by Dan Burns on February 16, 2013

Another aspirant will make it official.

Former Minneapolis City Council member Jackie Cherryhomes will kick-off her campaign for mayor Saturday…

Cherryhomes lives in north Minneapolis, a part of the city that was devastated by job loss during the recession.

She represented the area on the City Council for 12 years, eight of (them) as council president. Cherryhomes lost her seat in 2001 to Green Party candidate, Natalie Johnson Lee, who bested her by just 72 votes.

With that time lapse, it’s hard to say what kind of base Cherryhomes, who was far from low-profile, might have remaining.  On the other hand, she’s no newbie, in the matter of (successfully) negotiating the city’s political structure.

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“The Interrupters”, Free Showing in North Minneapolis

by Grace Kelly on February 9, 2013

“The Interrupters” tells the moving stories of three “Violence  Interrupters” who intervene nonviolently in both individual lives and  in conflicts between groups. With bravado, humility and even humor,  they work to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed. Check out the trailer.

DATE:  February 9, Saturday
TIME:  5:00 – 6:00 pm (potluck and networking), 6:00 – 8:00 pm  (film-”The Interrupters”), 8:00 – 9:00 pm (film discussion)
PLACE: St Olaf Lutheran Church, 2901 Emerson Avenue North,  
Minneapolis  55411

Parking lot is north of the church on Emerson.  Entrance to the movie  showing will be marked.

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Minneapolis Mayor: Mark Andrew enters the race

by Dan Burns on February 7, 2013

Less than a week ago, I posted about the already substantial field looking to be the next mayor of Minneapolis.  There’s another applicant, Mark Andrew.

Andrew will kick off his campaign on Thursday. He served 16 years on the county board, before resigning in 1999 to pursue a career in public relations. He is the founder and owner of GreenMark, which helps companies improve their environmental reputations. He also served as chair of the Minnesota DFL Party in the 1990′s.

Interest in this opportunity could not precisely be described with terms like “limited” or “sparse.”  On the contrary, something along the lines of a non-violent reenactment of a medieval “melee” comes to mind.  Good stuff!

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Mpls Ward 13 candidate Palmisano campaign kickoff

by Dan Burns on February 2, 2013

The current Minneapolis City Councilmember for Ward 13 is Betsy Hodges. She’s running for mayor. The Minneapolis DFL website lists two candidates to replace her: Matt Perry and Linea Palmisano.

You can check out a press release from Palmisano, regarding her campaign kickoff event, below the fold.

Next Thursday (Feb. 7), Linea Palmisano will continue a conversation she started with the community nearly a decade ago as she kicks off her campaign for Minneapolis City Council in the 13th Ward. From 6 – 7:30 PM, members of the community are invited to meet Linea at Turtle Bread in Linden Hills (3421 W. 44th St., Minneapolis) to discuss her campaign and vision for Minneapolis.

“I have lived in the Linden Hills neighborhood for 14 years, and am deeply rooted in the community through my volunteer and professional work. I am raising a family here, and look forward to conversations about issues and opportunities we face as a community,” said Palmisano.

Palmisano’s dedication to community involvement has given her the opportunity to serve as Linden Hills Neighborhood Council Board Chair, Board Member for the Linden Hills Farmers Market, and Assistant Track/Cross-Country coach at Southwest High School. She is also the founder of NAVIGATE, an immigrant college access program.

“Throughout my career and community organizing experiences, I have fought hard to ensure every voice is heard,” says Palmisano. “If elected, I will expand and advocate for strong and transparent communication between residents, businesses and the city, and work hard to prioritize issues pertaining to transit, development, property taxes, and a balanced budget.”

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Minneapolis Mayor: The field is growing – Update

by Dan Burns on February 1, 2013

Here are the candidates that have clearly indicated that they are running, at this time:

- Cam Winton. He’s a Republican, though not in the same sense that, say, John Kline is a Republican. This race is “nonpartisan,” that is, party affiliations aren’t noted on the ballot (I’m pretty sure about that). Also note that ranked-choice voting is being used. The parties may endorse candidates, and that should be a serious rush for Minneapolis political junkies, on the DFL side. As far as agreeing to abide by said endorsements, I’ve seen nothing. I wouldn’t count on it. (No DFL endorsement wouldn’t be a surprise.)

- Dick Franson. (Apparently no campaign website, at this time.)

The next three are all members of the Minneapolis City Council.

- Betsy Hodges.

- Don Samuels. (Again, I couldn’t find a campaign website, yet.)

- Gary Schiff.

If I had to handicap the race, and pick a favorite right now, I suppose that it would be Schiff, by a nose. That’s just a gut feeling, and pretty meaningless. There will almost certainly be more DFL entrants, and third-party candidates, and even another GOPer or two for all I know. An eclectic field, to be sure!

Update: According to this, I need to add two:

- Grant Haas.

- Jackie Cherryhomes.

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Minneapolis city council incumbent Diane Hofstede announces endorsements

by Eric Ferguson on February 1, 2013

Minneapolis 3rd ward council member Diane Hofstede has released a list of endorsements. It’s posted below. Just for full disclosure, I donated to the campaign of one of her opponents, Jacob Frey.


MINNEAPOLIS – (Jan 31) – City Councilwoman Diane Hofstede (DFL-3rd Ward) today said she is pleased by the support she’s received for her re-election bid for a third term on the Minneapolis City Council. Those endorsing Hostede today include:

City Councilwoman Barb Johnson (DFL-4th Ward)

City Councilman Don Samuels (DFL-5th Ward)

City Councilwoman Meg Tuthill (DFL-10th Ward)

State Representative Diane Loeffler (DFL-District 60A)

State Representative Phyllis Kahn (DFL-District 60B)

Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins (DFL-2nd District)

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner Liz Wielinski (DFL-District 1)

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner Anita Tabb (DFL-District 4)

Hofstede also announced a number of endorsements from organized labor including:

International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 82

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49

Teamsters DRIVE

ULLICO INC PAC


Hofstede also noted that she is gratified to have received the endorsement of former Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser and Arvonne Fraser, Minneapolis Downtown Council President & CEO Mark Stenglein, and longtime DFL fundraiser Ruth Usem. She said she expects to announce additional endorsements as the campaign season begins in earnest.

“I’m enormously grateful for the support and endorsement of these longtime friends and colleagues who know me and know my record,” Hofstede said. “I’m running for re-election because I know there’s still work to be done on behalf of the Third Ward and for our city. With a team like this on my side, I’m ready to put myself before the voters of my ward and ask for the opportunity to continue in that work.”


Hofstede continued: 
”I’m proud of a lifetime of service to the Third Ward, first as a public school teacher, as a business owner, as Minneapolis Public Library Board chair, and as a passionate, progressive member of the city council. I’ve laid out a clear vision about where our city can grow and develop over the next decade and beyond and I’m eager to continue in my efforts to achieve that vision. I will fight for eco-friendly, sustainable economic development for all citizens – not just for any jobs, but for jobs that provide careers and that support families and grow the middle class.”



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