MPR: Profiles of mayoral candidates in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Profiles of mayoral candidates in Minneapolis and St. Paul
September 7, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS

R.T. Rybak
Party: DFL (but no endorsement in Minneapolis race)
Personal: Age 49. Married to: Megan; two children.
Education:
Occupation: Mayor of Minneapolis
Political experience: Business consultant, publisher of the Twin Cities Reader, development director of the Downtown Council, reporter for the Minneapolis Tribune in the late 1970s and early `80s, founder of ROAR (Residents Opposed to Airport Racket), a citizens group fighting airport noise pollution, a volunteer for a multitude of community organizations. Rybak was elected mayor in 2001 in his first run for political office.
Web site: www.rtrybak.com

Mayoral Debate - 8/25/05

Peter McLaughlin
Party: DFL (but no endorsement in Minneapolis race)
Personal: Age 56. Married to: Nancy Hylden
Resides; Minneapolis
Education: Graduate of Princeton University and earned his master's degree from the University of Minnesota
Occupation: Hennepin County Commissioner since 1991 Political experience: served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1985 to 1990, community faculty member at Metropolitan State University from 1980 to 1994, worked for the Minneapolis Community Business Employment Alliance and the Urban Coalition of Minneapolis, active on a number of boards and commissions.
Web site: www.petermclaughlin.org

Listen to an excerpt of Peter McLaughlin's campaign announcement

Mayoral Debate - 8/25/05

Farheen Hakeem
Party: Green
Personal: Age 29. Married to: Children:
Resides; Minneapolis
Education: Graduated from Oberlin College
Occupation: Community coordinator for the Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis Political experience: involved in the Antiwar Committee and the Womyn of Color Building Project, has worked as a community organizer for a housing co-op and in education.

Mayoral Debate - 8/25/05

Marcus Harcus
Web site: marcusharcus.com

Candidate statement

Don Johnson
Web site: www.solarhardware.com/MAYOR.html

Candidate statement

Mark Koscielski
Web site: www.notaxs.com

Candidate statement

David Alvarado
Web site:

Candidate statement

Dick Franson
Web site:

Candidate statement

Tim Nolan
Web site: None

Candidate statement

Other candidates
Gregory "Ernie" Brown
Gregory Groettum
Gerald Savage

ST. PAUL

Randy Kelly
Party: DFL but did not seek party endorsement
Personal: Age 55. Married to: Kathy Kelly Children: Two sons. Reed is a dancer on Broadway; Ryan manages his father’s re-election campaign.
Resides: (St. Paul's East Side)
Education: graduate of Harding High School and the University of Minnesota.
Occupation: Mayor of St. Paul
Political experience: Elected mayor in 2001. He was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1974. He served for 16 years in the House and later served 11 years in the Minnesota Senate. His district included most of Saint Paul ’s East Side .

Mayor Randy Kelly announces his re-election bid (2/8/05)

Chris Coleman
Party: DFL
Personal: Age 44. Married to: Connie Coleman Children: daughter Molly and son Aidan
Resides: St. Paul's West Side
Education: Graduated from Cretin High School, University of Minnesota and the U of M law school.
Occupation: Investment management consultant working with non-profit organizations; president of United Family Practice Clinic.
Political experience: Eight years working in Hennepin County as a public defender and prosecutor; served on the St. Paul City Council representing Ward 2 from 1997 to 2003.

Elizabeth Dickinson
Party: Green Party
Personal: Age 45. Married to: Christopher Childs
Resides: St. Paul's West Side
Education: Graduated from Cambridge University in England; a master's degree in psychology from Lesley College in Massachusetts Occupation:documentary film producer lobbyist for the Minnesota AIDS Project and other organization.
Political experience: Lobbyist for the Minnesota AIDS Project and other organizations; in 2003, she ran unsuccessfully for the Second Ward seat on the City Council.