Nov 3, 2009 11:12 pm US/Central
Mayor Coleman Re-Elected, Instant Runoff Selected
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
-
-
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, the incumbent, has been re-elected. (File)
CBS
Democrat Chris Coleman, the incumbent, has been re-elected as St. Paul mayor, winning over newcomer and Republican-endorsed business woman Eva
Ng.
Coleman took 69 percent of the vote in unofficial results. Ng had 31 percent.
The incumbent said he wanted to focus on his duties at City Hall, turning down rumors of a possible run for governor.
Voters were also asked whether they wanted to approve instant-runoff
voting in future St. Paul municipal races. With almost 100 percent of
precincts reporting, about 52 percent of voters said yes, with 48
percent opposing.
Coleman will have another four years to see through plans for the light rail and improve education, two issues he pushed during his campaign.
In her campaign, Ng criticized Coleman for raising property taxes, but Coleman maintained successes in business development and his approach to balancing the budget were reasons he should receive another term.
"To say that a mayor's role on education is purely advisory, I think is to miss the boat on what is happening across this country," Coleman said in a recent Minnesota Public Radio interview. "I do think the mayor has to be an absolute critical and integral partner with the school district, with the education community to figure out how it is our kids are going to be successful."
The election on Tuesday was mostly low key, with a steady turnout of voters.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Northstar Opens Despite Efforts To Block
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
