--- Booker Hodges <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I am saddened to announce that council member Don > Samuels has chosen to > challenge Natalie Johnson-Lee for the 5th ward. > Redistricting has caused > this race to take place. Johnson-Lee currently > represents about 75%-80% of > the redistricted 5th ward.
While I agree with the statement that this is sad, I have to disagree with the underlying tone or blame. Booker is playing a little loose with the redistricting timeline to suggest that it may be the cause of this. The lines were drawn before Samuels got in the race and won the election, as a matter of fact, it was used against him in the race. He chose to run anyway, and decided against moving in Third Ward. Aside from being black and living on the Northside, these are two very different politicians from different political parties (Johnson-Lee/Green, Samuels/DFL). They have different styles of governing and campaigning as well. Both will get their party endorsement without a hitch and then run against each other. Happens all over every year. There is/was no conspiracy here. The redistricting plan was signed off by DFLers, Greens, Republicans and Independents alike on a Commission. Eric Mitchell St Paul __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
