Oct 28, 2009 5:54 pm US/Central
Where's The Campaigning For Minneapolis Mayor?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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For the first time since Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak was first elected, the mayor's race is flying under the radar. (File)
CBS
Next week, mayoral elections will be held in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. The mayors in both cities are running for re-election. But for the first time since Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak was first elected, the mayor's race is flying under the radar.
In his first run for mayor, Rybak unseated incumbent mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton.
"Mayor Rybak's last two elections were high profile and quite contentious with well-named opponents," said Professor Larry Jacobs of the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute.
In his bid for re-election, Rybak faced Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin.
"I had two very visible, very strong opponents in my two last races. And the first time I ran, virtually no one in the city knew me so it was a different case each time," said Rybak.
This time, Rybak's 10 opponents are relatively unknown to most people in the city.
"Because of Mayor Rybak's success as mayor and his political success in locking up support in the Democratic Party, has resulted in no serious big name challengers. He's basically looks like he's headed for a cakewalk," said Jacobs.
For the first time in recent memory, the Republican Party is attacking the mayor with election mailings to voters.
They accuse the mayor of not participating in the mayoral election process because his focus is winning the governor's seat.
"When you have an incumbent mayor who's out there running, not focused on the day to day job of mayor but focusing on the governor's race, I think it's something that's good for our party," said Minnesota Republican Party Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb.
"I've been very honest with people of Minneapolis that I'm looking very hard at the governor's race," said Rybak. "I cannot and should not and have not taken this for granted."
If you want more information on the other Minneapolis candidates running for mayor or the upcoming city elections, click on the link below.
Minneapolis Candidate Filings for 2009
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MN Gov's Race Starts To Come Into Focus
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