Friends & fellow armchair journalists,
In response to some of your questions regarding Commissioner Ortega's candidacy. I do not pre-judge his campaign and will promise to keep an open mind to see how he handles the issues facing Saint Paul. I am VERY glad to see distinguished leaders such as Rafael, with the courage to challenge Randy in light of his shoddy history with campaigns and voters.
Randy's been very faithful to his business elite, but then we know from which trough he feeds - he basically "came out" as a Republican just like Turncoat Norm (Bush Boy, we call him affectionately). Political opportunists are a dime a dozen in this town, unfortunately.
Ortega should be commended for his excellent public service to Ramsey County and he has supported many public health initiatives. I promise to keep an open mind going forward. Let's just see a good field of candidates entering the scene so we can have a good, honest debate about the future of Saint Paul in the upcoming year. Some fresh faces can only add to the civil debate about what we care about in our city.
As for likely candidates, Tim Nelson neglected to mention the most likely candidate to beat Randy this time around. Jay Benanav, who successfully orchestrated a turnaround of the council from a 5-2 conservative majority to a 4-3 progressive powerhouse (with the Helgen & Thune victories & the Lantry Presidency), was short only a few hundred votes in 2001. Randy knows he will not win if Jay runs again.
With due respect to Benanav's family, making a run for mayor is not the easiest game in town, and we know the tactics employed by the likes of the Kelly cronies. I would not blame him if he decided not to put his family through that kind of stress again.
I was hoping Kathy Lantry might consider a run, but she's well-positioned as Council President to set a fine agenda for the upcoming year. Sue Haigh is a reputable and respected leader, but I will wait to hear what she decides before speculating.
Happy Thanksgiving, all. I appreciate your kind & insightful responses to my previous post (offline emails included).
Cristy
Highland Park Resident Master of Liberal Studies degree candidate
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