Photos Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak More from MPR County commissioner to run for mayor of Minneapolis (12/16/2004) Tools E-mail this page Print this page Sponsor

Rybak's running
by Art Hughes, Minnesota Public Radio
January 30, 2005

With his son, Charlie, at his side, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak announced his candidacy for re-election. (MPR Photo/Art Hughes)

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak formally announced his re-election bid on Sunday near the place he started his first campaign for elected office four years ago, almost to the day. At that time, he waged a grassroots battle against an established incumbent he felt was out of touch residents. Now, Rybak has a political track record that makes him the target for challengers.

Minneapolis, Minn. — Four years ago, Rybak gathered a handful of friends and family in a small neighborhood store. He added his name to the list of unknown candidates challenging a strong and politically powerful Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton. The crowd of supporters this time around filled a much larger space a few blocks down, as Rybak officially expressed his wish to serve again. He says he's championed the construction of more than 2,000 affordable housing units and 4,500 new jobs in Minneapolis. He also touts Xcel Energy's decision to convert the Riverside coal-burning power plant to natural gas and progress at the state level to add bus lanes to Interstate 35W.

"I told you I'd be a cheerleader when this city needed it and I have been," Rybak said. "I've stood up and rallied this town when it needed it. But I've also been the fierce defender that we've needed when any people in our city are under attack."

Among those he says he's stood up for are immigrants and gay and lesbian residents. Rybak also points to the yet-unbuilt Midtown Exchange project in the former Lake Street Sears building as one of the successes of his first term.

"It will bring at least 1,400 new jobs to the Phillips neighborhood," Rybak said. "We'll have a hotel, a global marketplace, and a symbol of what Minneapolis can do when we focus our resources and do great things together."

Rybak has endured an unending string of financial setbacks as mayor. He inherited a substantial debt load, then got hit by crippling cuts in state aid. The resulting budget cuts thinned the number of both police and firefighter positions. The decision to cut into the city's public safety functions earned Rybak criticism from unions, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and his main election challenger, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. A campaign staffer says a police union endorsement is unlikely. Still Rybak maintains his administration has made progress against criminals.

"We've cracked down on chronic offenders." Rybak said. "We've brought in a new police chief who's formed unprecedented partnerships with communities of color. We've brought in a new fire chief who's broken barriers, and together we're linking with block clubs and citizens throughout this city to send a strong message that this will remain a safe a comfortable city for everyone."

Linda Longino spoke at Rybak's campaign launch. She's the mother of Tyesha Edwards, the girl who was killed in her home by a stray bullet fired during a gang dispute two years ago. She says she's gotten to know Rybak as a person since the tragedy.

"He's real," Longino said. "People ask me 'Linda, how is R.T. Really?.' What you see is what you get. That's the real person and that's what makes him so heartwarming and an incredible person to my family and I."

North Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels praised Rybak's apparent ability to connect with people. Samuels also says Rybak is an effective civic leader.

"A remarkable combination of a desire to be liked, which very often is a weakness in people, combined with a desire to do the right thing which undoubtedly is a strength for all people," he said.

Rybak's low point as mayor came amid allegations of police brutality when community leader Randy Staten called him "the worst mayor in Minneapolis' history." Samuels says he admired the way Rybak held his ground.

"Randy's a great guy but he's a formidable opponent," Samuels said. "In an environment full of African American people, that takes some guts for a white guy."

Rybak also received support from City Council ally Paul Ostrow who says Rybak got the city on track by focusing on long-term goals like financial stability.

"I've heard it suggested this is a city at the edge of crisis, but I tell you this is a city that's at the edge of greatness," Ostrow said.

Nokomis neighborhood resident Elizabeth Rosenwinkel remembers the first time she first encountered Rybak four years ago.

"I heard him speak and I thought, 'wow he's great. Too bad he doesn't have a chance,'" she said.

Rosenwinkel is back to volunteer on Rybak's re-election campaign. This time, she says, she has more confidence in the candidate's electability.