About that election next week...

[dreamshark]

So there's a special DFL primary election this coming Tuesday to replace Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, who resigned in the middle of her term to pursue other opportunities. Technically I suppose there will be an official election in the fall, but this being southwest Minneapolis, the DFL Primary pretty much decides the results.

So who are you voting for? 

Comments

[rubel.livejournal.com]

Hello, fellow Southwest Minneapolitan.

I'll be voting for the fellow on the left (literally).

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[rubel.livejournal.com]

Okay, so it moved the dalek after I hit send. Stupid LJ.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

There seem to be a lot of people running for the seat, but I don't recall the Dalek. I'll look through the pile of flyers on my front porch again.

[rubel.livejournal.com]

They mostly canvas by podcast.

[davidschroth.livejournal.com]

My recollection is that minnehah K is supporting Ms Mavity.

I found none of the candidates web pages worth anything. The series of candidate interviews on MinnPost last week was not as helpful as I would like - I came away with the impression that all of the candidates were trying to suck up to Kenwood and St Louis Park at the same time (regarding SWLRT).

What I did get out of the interviews was one candidate who came out strongly for Early Childhood Education, so I'm going with Ms Green in the Primary.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

See, this is what happens when you have 4 idealistic progressive candidates marinated in Minnesota Nice who have all sworn off negative campaigning. A deadly dull campaign featuring candidates who seem to have been cut out of the same DFL dough with the same cookie cutter.

The only one I don't particularly care for is Ken Kelash, who apparently has the most money to spend but the least to say: blah blah blah unions blah blah blah unions blah blah. I have had personal conversations with Ann Mavity and Ben Schweigert and I was impressed by both of them. I'm pretty sure I would have liked Marion Greene just as well if I'd talked to her. What to do, what to do?

I'm currently leaning towards Ben because (1)He is an enthusiastic bike commuter (and I care a LOT about bike paths) (2)He has actually taken a stand on the SWLRT line (shallow tunnels) and (3) He has not only heard of the Hennepin History Museum, he is interested in it and looking forward to taking a turn on the board.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

I did a bit of research yesterday, after getting my second phone call from a supporter. First for Scheigert, second for Greene.

FWIW, here are my findings:

Any of the four Democratic candidates would be okay, and neither of the Republican candidates would. So, unsurprisingly, I will vote in the Democratic primary.

Here are my rankings, briefly:
1) Ben Schwiiegert: A lawyer with deep ties to the community, who is focusing on livability issues and reducing the need for cars. Never held public offices but endorsed by the Teamsters, ASFCME and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies. So I agree with you, Sharon.
2) A close decision v. Greene. Mavity is a former MN Legislator who's concerns are for social justice issues. Endorsed by several labor unions, and St. Louis Park School Board members, among others. Gets a Grade A from Stonewall DFL (the LGBT caucus).
3) Marion Greene is another good choice. A former MN legislator who has lived abroad but has local interests, notably health care and strengthening HCMC. Endorsed by Margaret Anderson Killiher (who she replaced as a legislator when Kelliher ran for governor)Stonewall DFL and a few others.

4) Ken Keelash. I know the least about him. He was a union carpenter for 37 years before being a MN lislator for 2 terms. He has endorsements from all sorts of unions. I love it when my top four candidates would all be fine with me.

And yes, I checked on the Republicans. Ick, just ick.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I don't think you have to worry about the Republican candidates. This primary will decide the election.

I ended up voting for Anne Mavity based on minnehaha's personal experience with her.