Also vying for the party nod is special education teacher Jim Thomas, a late-comer to the race who has based his platform almost entirely on education reforms. He rails against large class sizes in south Minneapolis, the proliferation of charter schools and gearing teaching to standardized tests.

• Software executive Stephanie Woodruff isn't vying for the DFL nomination, but will kick off her campaign on June 21 and run as a DFLer.

• Former alderman Dan Cohen says he will run as an independent if there is no DFL endorsement.