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Minneapolis Councilman Paul Ostrow Retires

by: Populista

Tue Dec 16, 2008 at 14:32:50 PM CST

The Star Tribune is reporting that Minneapolis Ward 1 Councilman Paul Ostrow will not be seeking re-election for a forth term in 2009. Ostrow is a former council president and currently chairs the Ways and Means Committee. His retirement will no doubt set off one of the most hotly contested DFL endorsement races in the city. Already two candidates are in the running and according to the Strib two more are considering. Here's a quick look at the field.

Doron Clark

Age: 30

Resume: Chair Windom Park Citizens in Action, Job skills developer for Target Corp

Notes/Sites:Jumped into the race on Oct 27th and seems to have the most organized campaign so far. Has a website, Facebook and an endorsement from the blogger Blue Man. His campaign seems to be centered on restoring NRP and is a member of Neighbors for NRP

Kevin Reich

Age: 41

Resume: Former Windom Park Citizens in Action Co-Chair, Project manager for the Holland Park Improvement Association

Notes/Sites: Just now getting into the race and I couldn't find much about him or his campaign. All I could find was a user profile on Mpls Issues Forum and Democracy for America which seem to indicate he opposes charter schools and supports bikes, single-payer healthcare and IRV.

Keep reading for two more potential candidates.

Populista :: Minneapolis Councilman Paul Ostrow Retires

Jose Velez

Age: 51

Resume: Former development director for the Hawthorne Area Community Council, currently a aide to City Council Member Don Samuels.

Notes/Sites: Still a potential candidate and I couldn't find any site or further info on him but as a aide to a current council member he would be a strong candidate.

Susan Howitz Hanna

Age: 49

Resume: Account manager for Qwest, former Ostrow campaign Treasurer, Minneapolis Civil
Rights Commissioner.

Notes/Sites: Again is a potential candidate and doesn't have a site but has a strong resume. She says she'd like to see a strong female candidate and as the only rumored female candidate that could be her and could give her an edge.

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This clearly is a wide open race and I expect even more candidates to get in before it's over. Clark has been campaigning the longest and clearly his campaign is the most organized so far, Velez and Hanna both have strong resumes though.

The field will no doubt get clearly in the next few days and I'll try to keep everyone updated and possibly procure a interview or two with some of the candidates.

Anyone hearing anything about any more candidates?

Tags: campaign report, Local Politics, Minneapolis, minneapolis politics, Paul Ostrow, Doron Clark, Kevin Reich, Susan Howitz Hanna, (All Tags)

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Minneapolis Councilman Paul Ostrow Retires | 4 comments

Where is ward 1? (0.00 / 0)

For those of us who do not have wards memorized, this is the Northeast part of Minneapolis. This is an area hit hard by the housing problems.

by: Grace Kelly @ Tue Dec 16, 2008 at 15:07:15 PM CST

4 potential candidates have something in common (0.00 / 0)

All 4 potential candidates happen to live in Minneapolis Ward 1 Precinct 6. Lots of great leadership in this area!

See: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.u...

by: eb @ Tue Dec 16, 2008 at 20:03:59 PM CST

Jose not Joe (0.00 / 0)

A minor correction ... I believe it is Jose Velez not Joe.

by: The Big E @ Tue Dec 16, 2008 at 22:27:54 PM CST

Email from Doron Clark (0.00 / 0)

Doron Clark emailed us. Here's his email:

Hi guys,
Thanks for the coverage on the first ward race for city council. It is good fair factual coverage.
Two minor things regarding resume:
I am now the chair of Windom Park (we no longer have co-chair titles)
Kevin is the former co-chair of Windom Park
Kevin was term limited off the board, so he can no longer serve as co-chair.
Take care!
Doron Clark

by: The Big E @ Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 08:27:23 AM CST