Brooklyn Park mayoral race: Mayor touts 'good work'; rival says city needs to unite

Just like three years ago, a candidate in the nonpartisan Brooklyn Park mayor's race has been endorsed by a political party. But this time, it's a different candidate, backed by a different party.

Incumbent Jeff Lunde, who was endorsed by the Republican Party in 2011, is seeking a second term, but this year without a GOP endorsement.

His opponent is health care business analyst and community organizer Joy Stephens, 43, who has been endorsed by the Brooklyn Park DFL caucus.

Lunde wants to continue his "good work," while Stephens wants change.

Both candidates have spent weeks knocking on doors and talking with residents.

Here's a look at the two people seeking to represent Minnesota's sixth-largest city and its second-most diverse.

Jeff Lunde Incumbent mayor

Since then, Lunde has learned to campaign without an endorsement and that "results matter," he said.

Unlike in 2011, the Republican has opted out of seeking political endorsements for the "nonpartisan position of mayor."

"The mayor must work with politicians on both sides of the aisle," he said. "I have learned that political endorsements tend to hinder and not help. It really hurts you when you are representing the city at the Capitol."

A hot-button issue during this election season has been Lunde's decision to table discussion of the proposed Bottineau Light Rail Transit project. Lunde is not opposed, he said, but felt he didn't have enough information for Brooklyn Park residents. The discussion will continue in the spring.

The senior technical account manager at VMware said he wants to continue doing "good work," should he be elected to a second term. For instance, youth crime in Brooklyn Park has decreased by 40 percent, he said.

He points to business development, as well. Although the city has drawn some criticism for providing subsidies to bring in large companies, Lunde defends the action. He cites the example of Target Corp., which got tax breaks and is expanding its north campus in Brooklyn Park.

"That was our primer, now we have companies any city would kill to have," Lunde said.

He supported city efforts that attracted Olympus, Baxter International and other companies. And he said the city will gain over time from the Target subsidy because of higher property taxes and spinoff business to area restaurants and retailers.

He wants to continue to attract businesses of all sizes, he said.

Lunde also wants to open a business center, which he hopes would create a partnership with private enterprises that want to host and incubate new businesses, especially those from the diverse community.

"You need a mayor to reach out to everyone," he said. "What's important is what we are trying to get done."

Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647

Twitter: @KarenAnelZamor