Randy Johnson takes step toward goal

Among west metro races, he and David Nyberg won spots in District 5 for the Hennepin County Board.

By HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA, Star Tribune

Last update: September 9, 2008 - 11:07 PM

Hennepin County Board Chairman Randy Johnson, seeking reelection so he can serve more than 30 years on the commission, took the first step toward that on Tuesday.

He won one of the two spots open for the November election in District 5. The second spot was won by challenger David Nyberg from Bloomington. The district includes Richfield, Bloomington and most of Eden Prairie.

In District 7, former state Rep. Jeff Johnson of Plymouth and former Champlin City Council Member Joan Molenaar beat out three other candidates. One of them will replace Penny Steele, who after 14 years decided not to seek reelection. District 7 covers the northwest part of the county, including Minnetrista, Independence, Mound, Medina, part of Plymouth, Maple Grove, Champlin, Dayton, Hassan, Rogers, St. Bonifacius and Greenfield.

In the Minneapolis school board primary, incumbents Lydia Lee and Sharon Henry-Blythe were among the top six finishers in a nine-person race. The six will compete for three positions. Joining the incumbents on the ballot will be challengers Carla Bates, Jill Davis and Kari Reed. It was neck and neck for the last spot between Doug Mann and Allison Johnson.

In the Richfield City Council races, candidates Gordon Hanson and Pat Elliott were the top finishers to replace longtime Council Member Susan Rosenberg in Ward 1.

In Ward 3, candidates Tom Fitzhenry and Josh Root beat out four other challengers to replace incumbent Bill Kilian, who is leaving the board.

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