Perhaps the gorgeous crooner Alicia Keys said it best when she sang, "No one, no one, no one..."
On Tuesday, April 16, DFL and Republican activists from across St. Paul took their separate corners at precinct caucuses and ward conventions, which were relatively short and to the point, from what the Scoop gleaned last night. The DFL introduced no challengers to St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. The GOP introduced no challengers to Coleman, and no candidates for school board.
Sing it, Alicia...
However, our spies at the GOP caucus tell the Scoop that University Avenue realtor Tim Holden got a round of applause. Holden, who did not address the crowd or make public remarks, has said he is running for the nonpartisan seat as an independent, though he has yet to file his campaign finance reports, which are due within 14 days of expending or receiving $100 in campaign funds.
Writes a dedicated Scoopster, via email:
There were a number of former School Board candidates present but they did not announce their intentions. Since we do not endorse candidates at our Ward Caucuses there is still time to find candidates to endorse. Here are some of them that were there: John Krenik, Richard Eaton, and Liz Paulson.
There was a Mayor Candidate who was checking out the SPRCC, Tim Holden. Here is Tim's contact info for more info about his candidacy HOLDENFORMAYOR.com ... Holden did not address the audience but he got a rousing applause when he was introduced that he was going to run against Chris Coleman.
There will probably be more about the GOP caucus here and here but not likely here.
Meanwhile, there are at least six DFL-friendly candidates running for the three seats on the 7-member school board. Those candidates include the sitting board chair Jean O'Connell and fellow incumbent John Brodrick. Elona Street-Stewart is not running for re-election.
In addition to O'Connell (oconnellforstpaulkids.com) and Brodrick (brodrick4kids.com), they include Chue Vue (chueforschoolboard.com), David Martinez (martinezforstpaulkids.com), Luis Ortega (ortegaforschoolboard.org), and Sarah Lechowich (sarahlechowich.org). The DFL endorsements will be determined at the party's city convention on June 8 at the old Arlington High School, which is currently the Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice St.
More info on DFL stuff here.
Now, back to the GOP...
Here's the official statement, hot off the digital presses, from the GOP's city committee:
Statement by Greg Copeland, Chair, St. Paul Republican City Committee, on Tuesday's
2013 St. Paul City Caucus
While I can't report any candidate announcements today, Tim Holden, an independent candidate for Mayor attended the Republican Caucus as a guest. Holden shared his campaign flyer seeking support for his Mayoral Campaign with our St. Paul City Caucus goers as he met each of them. Holden told Republicans he came to meet them on a one to one to basis and listen to them.
We believe the three seats on the 2013 ballot for St. Paul School Board are all Open Seats, even though there has been only one incumbent who will not seek re-election.
Three people who have previously been endorsed by the St. Paul GOP as candidates for St. Paul School Board attended the Caucus, but they did not indicate Tuesday that they would be running in 2013. We will be seeking school board candidates who make the case reform St. Paul Schools to ensure that our children can graduate ready for a job, or with a ticket to vocational training or college.
State GOP Chair Keith Downey pledged his commitment to directly support St. Paul Republicans
in their 2013 city elections as he works to rebuild the Republican Party looking forward to the 2014 races for U. S. Senate, Governor, and the MN House.Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Senator David Hann declared Republicans in St. Paul have an opportunity given the fact the DFL has held the Mayor's Office for the last 12 years and had every seat on the City Council for over two decades, as well as the majority of seats on the school board. Hann pointed out, "If St. Paul residents are unhappy with how the City is operating, or dissatisfied with St. Paul Schools; they are ready to vote for a change. We are the Change."
Chris Fields said his election State GOP Secretary sent a message that St. Paul and Minneapolis is no longer fly over country for the Great Opportunity Party. Urban Republicans will get our support for their work to challenge the status quo policies of the DFL that are failing poor people looking for a job and their children who will need a good education to seize opportunities for changing their lives and escaping the grip of poverty.
Deputy Chair Kelly Fenton, a former St. Paul resident, told the Caucus she would go door to door with party activists to make our case directly to Capitol City voters.
A Republican City Convention date will be announced by the St. Paul City Committee.
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