Suburban primaries narrow the field for city races in November

Voters in four metro suburbs went to the polls Tuesday to narrow the ballot choices for the Nov. 5 municipal elections.

Bloomington had the most crowded primary ballot, with 18 people competing for five City Council seats. Just two incumbents were seeking re-election, so at least three of the seven council members in the city next year will be newcomers.

In Bloomington as well as Minnetonka and St. Louis Park, the primary marked the debut of new voting machines that will be used this fall in Hennepin County.

On Tuesday afternoon, Bloomington City Clerk Janet Lewis said the machines were operating smoothly, although some election judges had to instruct voters on how to insert ballots.

From the primary, two candidates for each seat advance to the general election. Many more cities will have elections in November, including high-profile mayoral contests in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Here are Tuesday's city-by-city results.

Facing off for the open at-large council seat will be Cynthia Bemis Abrams, a public relations and leadership consultant, and businessman Zavier Bicott.

In District 2, incumbent Thomas Hulting will face Andrew Carlson, a project manager and business services specialist, for a two-year seat on the council.

District 3 council incumbent Jack Baloga will face Steve Peer, a marketing director. The winner will be on the council for four years.

District 4 is an open four-year council seat. Newcomers Ken Johnson, who runs an Internet business, and Jon Oleson, a former teacher who serves on the Planning Commission, will compete for that seat.

Longtime legislator Nora Slawik and former Mayor Diana Longrie will compete for the mayor's seat after Will Rossbach decided not to seek re-election.

Council Members Kathleen Juenemann and Rebecca Cave will face Marylee Abrams, an attorney, and community activist Margaret Behrens for two at-large council seats.

Council Member Sue Santa will face Gregg Lindberg for the Ward 3 seat. The Southwest light-rail controversy played a role in the primary and is expected to be an issue in the election.