Ward 9: PM endorsed Michael
Guest. PM interviewed two candidates, Guest and Gary Schiff.
IMPRESSION: [My
objective impressions as part of the minority who supported Gary Schiff]
I do not believe there was any question that both Michael Guest and
Gary Schiff are excellent on the issues of concern to Progressive Minnesota
(PM) (e.g. opposition to stadium funding, aggressive solutions to the affordable
housing crisis, stronger living wage ordinances), and that both candidates
are far preferrable to establishment-hack Kathy Thurber. Both candidates
had committed supporters within PM. The reason that Guest got the
endorsement: a closer current connection to PM. Schiff was
a former staff organizer but left the organization about four years ago.
Guest is currently on the Board of PM. The entire PM staff is supporting
and working for Guest. Most of the core members are supporting Guest.
Guest's supporters were able to get more PM members to the meeting, and
therefore won the endorsement.
Ward 10: PM makes no endorsement
at this time. PM interviewed three candidates, Dan Niziolek, Doug
Kress, and Ann Berget. As it became clear that
support was split, the group
voted to hold off on making an endorsement until later.
IMPRESSIONS: There
was a divergence of opinion on which, if any candidates are reliably progressive.
Dan Niziolek has worked for the police department as a Community Crime
Prevention specialist. His own presentation and information from
his supporters indicated that he has done an outstanding job in working
with cross-sections of diverse communities on programs responsive to their
needs. He also appeared supportive of progressive issues.
Some of us had a serious problem with the combination of his employment
by the police department and lack of any visible critical perspective on
the oppressive role that the police perform towards people of color, low
income residents, and political dissidents..
Doug Kress projected was very
articulate and projected a committment to social and economic issues.
His non-profit social service background helped with insight into
needs for and approaches to affordable housing, educational services, living
wages. It seems that he would be supportive of local government resources
being focused on needs of those who need assistance rather than corporate
welfare. There was serious concern that Kress did not express firm
opposition to privatization of city services. I perceived that he
would not categorically rule out privatization, but was not likely to support
it.
Ann Berget is difficult to describe.
She was the most polished and experienced politician the we saw (two terms
of the school board and other runs for office). She expressed supportive
language on most of PM's issues but at the same time did not seem to project
deep commitment. There were questions about whether Berget has taken
strong progressive stands on the school board.
Ward 11: PM endorsed Scott Benson
IMPRESSIONS: Scott Benson was the
only candidate who appeared from this ward. He expressed support
for the core PM agenda. Benson's very progressive stands on social
issues were contrasted with those of his major opponent John Casserly who
is purported to be anti-abortion and anti-gay (I do not have firsthand
knowledge of Casserly's positions). There was no real question about
endorsing Benson. I personally had concerns, however, about
Benson's deep involvement in the DFL establishment, and hope it does not
lead him down the path of accomodation with the big corporate interests
that it is common to most DFLers at City Hall.
Ward 12: PM endorsed Craig Larson
IMPRESSIONS: Excellent! With his professional background
as a hydrologist, Larson has a higly sophisiticated understanding and deep
commitment to the many environmental issues in the City. He also
showed commitment to affordable housing, challenging corporate welfare,
opposing civil rights abuses by police. Larson was impressively articulate,
concise, and humerous in describing his positions. He should be a
formidable opponent to Colvin Roy.
Jordan Kushner
Powderhorn, Ward 8
