An upset in St. Paul, but most incumbents fare well

Despite an upset in St. Paul's hotly contested First Ward race, City Council incumbents held onto their seats, although one faced a close call.

Challenger Melvin Carter III, 28, who had the DFL endorsement, unseated Debbie Montgomery, 61, a retired St. Paul police commander.

In the Fourth Ward, Russ Stark replaces retiring Council Member Jay Benanav. Incumbent Council Member Lee Helgen bested his challenger by fewer than 200 votes.

Voters also returned incumbents Dan Bostrom, Dave Thune, Pat Harris and Council President Kathy Lantry to office, according to unofficial results.

Elsewhere in the metro area, an incumbent and a newcomer won seats in Maplewood, and Golden Valley's mayor will be back for another term.

In St. Paul, Carter will be representing an ethnically and economically diverse ward about to undergo major change with the planned Central Corridor light-rail line.

"I'm just overwhelmed, incredibly pleased and incredibly humbled," Carter said.

He credited the volunteers who knocked on doors and made phone calls for propelling him past Montgomery.

"I think the community spoke," Montgomery said.

Bostrom, 67, a retired St. Paul police sergeant and third-term incumbent, defended his Sixth Ward seat against Pakou Hang, 31.

First-term incumbent Helgen, 39, held off challenger David Haas, 31, by fewer than 200 votes.

About 30,000 voters went to the polls, which is about 15 percent of eligible voters, said Joe Mansky, Ramsey County elections manager.

MAPLEWOOD

Incumbent Will Rossbach and challenger John Nephew won the battle for two Maplewood City Council seats, topping incumbent Rebecca Cave and political newcomer DelRay Rokke.

Rossbach, a contractor, and Nephew, who owns a games business, had linked their campaigns, saying they want to bring "common sense" and openness to local government.

"In this election the people of Maplewood stepped back and took back their city," Rossbach said Tuesday night. He said he hoped the election would be a unifying influence in city politics.

NORTH METRO

Incumbents faced challengers in only a couple of north metro city elections.

In Circle Pines, incumbents David Kelso and Jenny Kromrey won reelection.

In New Brighton, the controversial Northwest Quadrant redevelopment project motivated a number of challengers in the race for mayor and two council seats.

But voters returned to office both incumbents -- Mayor Steve Larson, who secured a fifth term, and Council Member Mary Burg.

Larson took 45 percent of the vote, winning over challengers Dan Dahms and Ed Bova, who had criticized aspects of the city's approach to the Northwest Quadrant redevelopment.

Burg took 27 percent, enough to win reelection to the council but behind David Phillips, who, with 29 percent, led all other candidates.

"Hopefully we can move ahead now," Larson said.

SOUTH METRO

Voters in Prior Lake delivered a solid endorsement Tuesday of the way things are going, in a politically divided city with a history of ousting incumbents.

After tossing out three officeholders in the last election cycle, voters reelected three members of the City Council who faced spirited opposition.

"It was obviously a very contested race, with lots of thoughts presented," said Mayor Jack Haugen. "But this affirms that the majority of the public feels good about the direction of this community. These three people didn't just focus on tax dollars, but rather on creating a community for the future."

Incumbents Ken Hedberg, Steve Millar and Chad LeMair all emerged from a crowded field, with some challengers sharply critical of the status quo.

Contentious subjects included rising taxes, the need for a new water plant, the pace of growth, whether the city should continue its cooperative relationship with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and the use of tax-increment financing in several projects.

In Savage, meanwhile, Council Member Janet Williams was leading in her attempt to rise to the position of mayor, vacated when the incumbent chose not to run.

Shakopee Mayor John Schmitt was sailing toward a smooth reelection.

WEST METRO

West suburban city elections were largely characterized by uncontested races. Mayors in Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Osseo didn't face opposition.

But in Golden Valley, Mayor Linda Loomis faced two challengers, and six candidates competed for two council seats.

Several challengers questioned the city's new sewer assessment program -- part of a regional crackdown to keep storm water and other water that doesn't need treatment out of the sewer system.

But the incumbents fended off their opponents.

Loomis won 50 percent of the vote.

In Minnetonka, the redevelopment of the Glen Lake neighborhood dominated the Fourth Ward council race.

Challenger James Hiller -- who questioned the city's handling of the development -- beat 12-year incumbent Al Thomas by 15 votes.

"It was closer than I had hoped, but we're quite excited," Hiller said.

The Glen Lake redevelopment is transforming a rundown commercial area on Excelsior Boulevard west of Interstate Hwy. 494.

Hiller has said that he supported redevelopment there, but questioned whether the council truly heard public comment in approving the project.

Kevin Giles, Eric Hanson, David Peterson and Jenna Ross contributed to this report. Chris Havens • 651-298-1542

Chris Havens • chavens@startribune.com