Primaries narrow mayoral fields in 3 north metro cities

The mayors of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park were among the candidates who survived last week's primaries and now advance to the Nov. 4 general election.

In Brooklyn Center, Tim Willson, seeking a second four-year term, will face challenger Mike Elliott, who placed second in the three-person primary. Willson received 801 votes, Elliott got 409 and Robert Marvin had 285.

Willson is chief technical officer for the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget. Elliott manages a translation service.

The Brooklyn Park race will pit Mayor Jeff Lunde against Joy Stephens, who finished second in the four-candidate primary field. Lunde was elected in 2011 in a special election after the death of Mayor Steve Lampi. Stephens, who is making her first run for political office, was endorsed by the city's newly formed DFL caucus in May. Lunde received 2,425 votes, Stephens 1,042, and Boyd Morson and Yelena Kurdyumova, 431 and 113, respectively.

In Coon Rapids, City Council members Jerry Koch and Ron Manning finished 1-2 in the mayoral primary and will face off in the election. The winner will succeed Tim Howe, who is not seeking re-election after 12 years in office. The Coon Rapids primary drew a crowd, with five other candidates on the ballot.

Here are the candidates who advanced in other north metro city and county primaries:

Blaine, City Council, Ward 3: Jason King, Matthew Knutson

Brooklyn Center, City Council, two seats: Dan Ryan, Randy Christensen, April Graves, Ned Storla

Brooklyn Park, City Council, east ward: Terry Parks, Reva Chamblis

Columbia Heights, City Council, two seats: John Murzyn, Donna Schmitt, Catherine Vesley, Gregory Sloat

Coon Rapids, City Council, Third Ward: Wade Demmer, Ethan Yang

Coon Rapids, City Council, Fifth Ward: Brad Johnson, Valerie Weaver

Crystal, City Council, Section II: Olga Parsons, John Budziszewski

Crystal, City Council, First Ward: Elizabeth Dahl, Mark Hoffmann

Crystal, City Council, Second Ward: Jeff Kolb, Joseph Selton

Elk River, City Council, Fourth Ward: Jennifer Wagner, Paul Motin

Ramsey, City Council: Kristine Williams, Wayne Buchholz