Schiff drops out of mayoral race
Posted by: Maya Rao under Politics and government Updated: June 19, 2013 - 2:20 PM
By Eric Roper and Maya Rao
The race for mayor took an unexpected turn Wednesday when Gary Schiff, one of the first candidates to publicly mull a candidacy, dropped out.
Schiff's decision comes several days after he placed third on two ballots at the DFL endorsing convention. His campaign manager then resigned, telling the Star Tribune that he "did not see a path to victory."
He is the first candidate to drop out of the race to succeed outgoing Mayor R.T. Rybak, but likely not the last.
A 12-year veteran of the council, Schiff threw his support Wednesday behind colleague Betsy Hodges, who is leading the DFL pack along with former Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Andrew. Andrew led on every ballot at Saturday's convention, but no one was endorsed.
Schiff hailed Hodges as a candidate "who shares my progressive vision for the future of our city," and ticked off their shared views on key city issues. Both disagreed with public financing of the Vikings stadium and Twins ballpark, for example, and Schiff noted that he and Hodges also oppose expanding the county trash incinerator and have campaigned to end "gaps" in equality for city residents
He said he didn't decide to drop out during the convention because "I don't think that environment is the right time to make these types of decisions." Instead, Schiff went to the north shore on Sunday, considered his options, and reached out to Hodges on Monday.
Hodges attended the press conference, which was held at a South Minneapolis Indian restaurant. Schiff's supporters, wearing Schiff shirts, held Hodges signs.
Candidates remaining in the race include Hodges, Andrew, former council president Jackie Cherryhomes, Council Member Don Samuels, attorney Cam Winton, special ed teacher Jim Thomas, former alderman Dan Cohen and software executive Stephanie Woodruff.
Two of Andrew's campaign workers attended the event, but declined to comment.
Because of ranked choice voting, which accounts for voters' second and third preferences in selecting a winner, there will be no primary. The general election is on Nov. 5.
Cohen hoping for a better finish this time
Posted by: Steve Brandt under Politics and government Updated: June 19, 2013 - 9:15 AMDan Cohen’s 2013 bid for mayor isn’t the first time he’s run for the office, and the previous time in 1969 was memorable for several reasons.
First, hard as it may be to believe in a city that votes 80 percent of better DFL today, the DFL-endorsee didn’t even survive the primary.
Second, President Richard Nixon stepped into the fray, endorsing fellow Republican Cohen, who had been president of the City Council. This was pre-Watergate, so that was considered a plus for Cohen.
Third, Cohen was swamped, losing the general election by some 29,000 votes, capturing only his home 7th Ward and the 13th.
Fourth, the winner was Charles Stenvig, a police lieutenant who emerged on a law and order campaign. It was the first of two non-consecutive terms Stenvig served. In some Republican areas, he captured better than half of the tally.
New principal at Lake Harriet drops out
Posted by: Steve Brandt under People and neighborhoods, Politics and government Updated: June 19, 2013 - 9:04 AMLake Harriet Community School has a new principal for its upper campus -- again.
The district's announced choice for the post, Aaron Drevlow, told the district that he'd withdrawn, reportedly for personal reasons. Efforts by the Star Tribune to reach him were unsuccessful. He had worked in the Stillwater district.
So the district now has told parents that Walter Schleisman will fill the seat instead. He's coming to the school in the Fulton neighborhood from Folwell Performing Arts Magnet, where he was assistant principal. He's also been a music teacher and a fine arts coordinator for the district.
Schleisman will succeed the retiring Mary Rynchek, whose name was misspelled in the district's letter to parents.
Schiff campaign manager exits over dim prospects
Posted by: Eric Roper Updated: June 18, 2013 - 12:36 PM
Mayoral candidate Gary Schiff’s campaign manager has stepped down, saying he does not believe there is “a path to victory” for the council member’s mayoral bid.
Mark Warren’s departure comes after Schiff placed third twice at Saturday’s DFL convention, eventually throwing his support behind Betsy Hodges. Warren is a veteran of New Jersey politics and worked in several roles for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
City Pages first reported the change-up on Monday.
In an interview with the Star Tribune Monday, Warren was initially reluctant to elaborate on why he left. But when asked if he had always planned to leave after the convention, he said it hinged on Schiff’s chances of winning the general election.
"If there was a path to victory, I would have been willing to stay,” Warren said. “I personally did not see a path to victory on Saturday night's results."
Warren confirmed he was referring to the November election.
Schiff has not returned a message seeking comment.
Photo: Schiff announcing his mayoral bid this January (Bruce Bisping)
Minneapolis City Council panels sign off on streetcar funding
Posted by: Eric Roper Updated: June 18, 2013 - 1:05 PM
The City Council gave initial approval Tuesday to a plan to redirect up to $60 million in property taxes to help pay for a streetcar line along Nicollet and Central Aves.
Those taxes would be redirected from several major apartment projects -- about 1,200 units total -- already underway in and around downtown. The city would still need to secure state, regional or federal funds to pay for the rest of the $200 million project.
Mayoral aide Peter Wagenius said Tuesday the city hopes the line will be operated by the Metropolitan Council -- which would include incurring operations costs. He also said in an interview that the $200-$220 million cost only covers what's known as "K-Mart to Kramarczuk's," a 3.2-mile first phase far short of the city's full vision for the line.
The city's budget and transportation committees approved the proposal on a voice vote Tuesday morning. It still requires approval from the full council, likely next week, and the "value capture district" must be certified by Hennepin County.
Council Member Meg Tuthill abstained, saying she has concerns about what the Met Council's role will be and whether partners will provide sufficient commitments in the future.
“There’s just too many unanswered questions for me today to be able to vote in support of this," Tuthill said. "So what I’m going to do is abstain and continue digging and getting as many answers to questions as I possibly can.”
Cam Winton and Bob Carney, both of whom are running for mayor, testified in opposition to the plan.
Photo: A streetcar in Portland, Oregon.
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