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An endorsement of sorts
DAVID BRAUER
Ward 11. This is a moderate ward, currently represented by Emily J. Hofstede Koski. She, like Cashman, is a moderate who learned during her term that disagreement with Frey means being demonized. She’s endorsed Jamison Whiting, a city attorney who may be the only candidate endorsed by Frey-touting political action committees and the more progressive Mpls for the Many. Whiting—who went to Washburn with my son! Time flies!—is a smart guy and likely swing vote. He has good ideas about putting the Trump-abandoned federal consent decree into the still-alive state settlement … something Frey won’t do. He’s a guy some see as a future mayor … time will tell if that’s on the Frey model or something more center-left and collaborative. Jim Meyer is an old friend & we disagree on a number of issues, but he is a deeply knowledgeable person & truly earnest and decent in his advocacy. I’d trust him, and deserves to be ranked above 3rd in a 3-way race.
David Brauer was one of my two college-paper mentors (along with Jim Walsh). Politically, he leans left of me for sure, but he picked me for second, with kind words on my capability. I quibble with his top pick. I suggest people seriously consider ranking Mariam DeMello. A native of Field Neighborhood, she currently works on St. Paul Mayor Carter's staff, has public- service experience in both Twin Cities, and focus similar to mine. I've left Mr. Brauer's note in full out of respect, but please consider a Meyer/DeMello ballot Nov. 4.
An endorsement of sorts
NAOMI KRITZER
Naomi Kritzer is a regular blogger on local politics. She leans a little more left than I usually do, but she did give credit where due. To be honest, I was not her first choice, but she said I might be others’. I’ll take it. (FYI, I served on the Race Equity advisory because they were not getting applicants. On the second round of requests, I applied. They accepted. Maybe nobody tried for the W11 seat. It was my first glimpse behind the curtain of Mpls. City Hall. It was. . .interesting.
Jim Meyer sent me an e-mail last month making a case for himself that included the amusing and honestly kind of accurate line, “I don’t know if I am exactly your cup of tea, but Ward 11 doesn’t produce too many Our Revolutionaries.” I mean, yeah, this is valid. Jim is a former journalist turned LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and running as a budget hawk. Unlike a lot of fringe candidates Jim has some actual civic service experience; he serves on the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging. This makes sense (he worked at a nursing home) but he also served on the city’s Racial Equity Advisory in 2018; this makes less sense to me (he’s a white guy). Anyway, if what you want is a budget hawk, he might be your pick; he at least has a little political experience and is not coming at this 100% from a “how hard could politics possibly be? I’ll just do what The People want!” perspective.
MPR asked me ...
Why are you running?
In addition to poor crime prevention, aging infrastructure and questionable new streets, elected leaders are in denial about our financial health. Minneapolis has become business-hostile/tax-friendly. Tax increases are larger than ever and will likely remain so because leaders take taxpayers for granted. But I sense they are losing patience with a council out of focus. I also fear our endorsed candidate may join a supermajority of free-spenders at a time when we need moderate balance.
What life or professional experiences led you to seek this position?
I was on the Minneapolis Racial Equity Advisory in 2018. With a peek behind the curtain, I felt the city had lost focus on the essentials and we've seen the effects. Downtown development was lowest among the council's priorities then and it still shows. I also worked at the State of Minnesota where I saw bloated, ineffective and strange mismanagement. When I door-knock, locals are really fed up with the waste and fraud. I get it. I think faith in our once-proud governments is fading.