The Stonewall DFL caucus (SDFL) met today to endorse in the Minneapolis city races of mayor, city council (wards 1 to 10), park and library boards. There was very good attendance. The event was well coordinated and the discourse was informed and respectful. All endorsements are subject to the ratification of the SDFL board at next Saturday's meeting.
There were endorsements in several ward races where only one candidate requested to be screened; Wards 1 (Ostrow), 4 (Johnson), 5 (Samuels), 6 (Lilligren), 7 (Goodman), and 9 (Schiff). In Ward 3 Hofstede was endorsed strongly on the first ballot, as was Bernard in a large, strong field in 10. The real contest of the day was in Ward 8 which went to the fourth ballot and endorsed Tifft. There was a vote for no endorsement in Ward 2 after one balanced ballot. In the mayor's race Rybak was not found "acceptable" by SDFL. Speeches were made in favor of this action citing his disregard of the party endorsement, past work against DFL endorsed candidates, and deliberately dividing communities (the police chief debate was used as one example). No speeches were made against. An acceptable rating by the caucus is perquisite to endorsement. McLaughlin was found acceptable and endorsed. There was only one contest in the library and park races. Kummer was easily endorsed on the first ballot. It somehow makes the campaign season more real with this first caucus endorsement. I applaud SDFL for coming out early (pun intended) in this race. I believe this gives the caucus stature. Yours, Robert Lilligren, Vice President Minneapolis City Council Council Member Ward 8 Candidate Ward 6 Phillips West www.voterobert.com REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
